Synthesis of Interplant Water Networks Using Principal Pipes—Part 2: Network Optimization and Application

Abstract

Part 2 of the paper applies interplant water network synthesis using the novel principal pipe representation introduced in part 1 of this paper Alnouri et al. (PIOS 2(4):413–434, 2018). The concept of a principal pipe is presented as a shared pipeline structure that can be assigned several different functions, such as water collection, distribution, or both. A number of principal pipe categories and design aspects have been explored in this study, including pipe routing options, pipe flow directions, pipe sharing scenarios, and pipe water quality. To demonstrate the design of interplant water networks via principal pipes, a non-linear problem (NLP) has been implemented using an economic objective function, so as to allow a cost-optimal selection process for different types of principal pipes within industrial clusters. The proposed approach is illustrated using several examples that involve water regeneration and reuse. The benefits of the proposed methodology are quantified and discussed.