(630e) A Shortcut Graphical and Spreadsheet Technique for Identifying Heat Exchange Networks

Incorporating heat integration within chemical processes continues to be a critical component for future sustainability of large chemical and polymer manufacturing companies.  Numerous design methodologies have been developed for the synthesis of heat exchange networks (HENs) over the past three decades.  Several of the methods previously developed are based on a two stage targeting approach.  The first stage uses the hot and cold composite curves to identify the maximum heat integration possible for a selected group of streams to be cooled and streams to be heated.  This approach is incorporated in several commercially available software packages such as Aspen Energy Analyzer.  The second stage identifies the network of heat exchangers that meets the target identified in stage one.  Several strategies have been employed for identifying the HEN in stage two including, but not limited to, heuristics, mathematical optimization, and superstructure approaches. 

This paper will present a new graphical/spreadsheet technique and design strategy for identifying the HEN in stage two for large industrial problems.  Advantages of this strategy will be provided along with several case studies that illustrate the effectiveness of this approach.  Finally, experiences using this strategy in teaching undergraduate chemical engineering design courses will also be discussed.