Design of non-isothermal process water networks

Abstract

Despite the fact that many methods have been developed for the optimization of process water networks, solving the problem simultaneously considering heat recovery has rarely been addressed. This paper presents a new approach for the simultaneous synthesis and optimization of heat integrated water networks. The procedure is based on mixed integer non-linear mathematical programming (MINLP). A new superstructure for heat exchanger network (HEN) synthesis capable of exploiting unique features of water networks, like non-isothermal mixing of different streams, thus providing potentially more cost-effective solutions, is proposed. An example is presented to illustrate the synthesis of heat integrated water networks using the proposed approach.