Heat Exchanger Network Synthesis Using a Hyperstructure of Stagewise Stream Superstructures

Abstract

The existing hyperstructure for the simultaneous heat exchanger network synthesis (HENS) have embedded the alternative structures excluded by a stagewise superstructure. However, the existing hyperstructure-based approaches employs pinch- based transshipment model and do not simultaneously allow cyclic matching. In this work, we propose a simultaneous mixed-integer nonlinear programming formulation based on a hyperstructure of multistage stream superstructures. We include cyclic matching, avoid the pinch-based transshipment model and allow exchangers for utilities in each stage. Using several examples, we demonstrate the significant advantages of our approach compared to those from the literature. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.