Pinch Analysis for Process Energy Optimization

Abstract

ABSTRACT Pinch analysis was first developed in the late 1970s as a technique for thermal heat recovery, in response to the first “oil shock.” Since then, it has evolved into a general methodology for optimization, based on the principles of process integration. It has been applied successfully not only to energy systems (thermal heat recovery, pressure drop recovery, power generation), but also fresh water conservation, wastewater minimization, production capacity debottlenecking, and management of chemical species in complex manufacturing processes. This article describes the fundamental principles, design rules and design tools. It lists actual energy and water savings achieved in a wide range of industries. Finally, it describes a number of non-obvious energy efficiency improvement practices, discovered only through pinch analysis, that are not generally well known, and cites the results of a paper mill case study.