Energy consumption optimization of a manufacturing plant by the application of the p-graph framework

Abstract

A P-Graph model is developed to address energy supply options of a manufacturing plant. Today’s industrial facilities usually have a wide range of options to supply its needs in terms of heat, electricity or water. It is difficult to find the most suitable solution, as several factors must be taken into consideration, including fixed and proportional investment and operational costs, sustainability requirements and variable availability of resources. The P-Graph framework is an effective tool in the synthesis of process networks, which involves the P-Graph modeling tool, rigorous mathematical formulation and algorithms, as well as the utilization of Mixed-Integer Linear Programming models. In this work, the energy supply options of an electronic device manufacturing plant are examined. Decisions can be made about the sources of heat and electricity, including buying energy directly from the market or possibly investing into more economic biogas furnaces, a pelletizer, solar cells, with utilization of several different raw materials as energy sources.