A P-Graph approach for the synthesis of hydrogen networks with pressure and impurity constraints

Abstract

The increasing demand for hydrogen in refineries and petrochemical plants is challenging these facilities to minimise their hydrogen utility without incurring high capital and operating costs. As environment-related fuel specifications become more stringent, the demand for hydrogen increases, especially for the operation of hydrodesulphurisation in refineries. A P-graph model is developed in this paper for the synthesis of hydrogen networks. The model is capable of generating optimal and near-optimal solutions for the hydrogen network. The proposed methodology is computationally efficient and require minimal understanding of programming language. The developed model includes both direct recycle/reuse and regeneration schemes; and accounts for pressure and impurity constraints in the hydrogen network. In addition, the application of hydrogen header can also be handled by the P-graph model. The methodology is illustrated with three literature examples and the results obtained match those reported in literature.