A Novel Sequential Approach for the Design of Heat Exchanger Networks

This paper presents a new algorithm for the design of heat exchanger networks (HEN) that tries to take advantage strengths sequential and simultaneous approaches. It is divided into two parts. The first one an adaptation transportation model (TransHEN). maintains concept temperature intervals considers possibility transfer between all hot cold streams inside those intervals, at same time it allows priori calculation logarithmic mean difference possible exchanges, therefore area estimation linear in model. second step (HENDesign model), uses superstructure contains alternatives which matches predicted by stage can exchange final network. Unlike approach, this model, flows, temperatures, areas, etc. are reoptimized maintaining set stage. highly nonlinear nonconvex, however, relatively easy get good results, because starts with values TransHEN has been tested using fifteen benchmark problems commonly used literature compare performance network algorithms. In eleven out cases present better or equal results than best ones reported open literature. three presented only marginal differences total annualized cost (lower 0.5%) 2.4% largest one.