Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

An MINLP retrofit approach for improving the flexibility of heat exchanger networks

  • Published:
Annals of Operations Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model for the retrofit of heat exchanger networks (HENs) in order to improve their flexibility is presented in this paper. As stream flowrates and inlet temperatures and/or heat transfer coefficients are allowed to vary within either specified ranges or discrete sets, a multiperiod hyperstructure network representation is developed based on critical operating conditions (i.e. periods of operation) that limit the network's flexibility. This multiperiod hyperstructure includes all possible network configurations. Structural modifications, such as new stream matches, exchanger reassignments, splitting and mixing of streams are explicitly modeled either considering one-to-one or one-to-many assignment of heat exchangers to stream matches. Energy recovery and utility consumption are not predetermined but are optimized as part of a total annualized cost along with the structural modification cost in the objective function. Thus, trade-offs between operating and retrofit investment costs to improve the flexibility of a HEN are accounted for. The resulting large scale MINLP is solved with the application of the Generalized Benders Decomposition. The proposed multiperiod retrofit model can be included in a general framework to improve the operability of heat exchanger networks.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. S. Ahmad, B. Linnhoff and R. Smith, Cost optimum heat exchanger networks. Part 2: Targets and design for detailed capital cost models, Comp. Chem. Eng. 14, no. 7(1990).

    Google Scholar 

  2. A. Brooke, D. Kendrick and M. Meeraus,GAMS: A User's Guide (Scientific Press, Redwood City, 1988).

    Google Scholar 

  3. J. Calandranis and G. Stefanopoulos, Structural operability analysis of heat exchanger networks, Chem. Eng. Res. Des. 64(1986).

  4. J. Cerda, M.R. Galli, N. Camussi and M.A. Isla, Synthesis of flexible heat exchanger networks I. Convex networks, Comp. Chem. Eng. 14, no. 2(1990).

    Google Scholar 

  5. J. Cerda and M.R. Galli, Synthesis of flexible heat exchanger networks II. Nonconvex networks with large temperature variations, Comp. Chem. Eng. 14, no. 2(1990).

    Google Scholar 

  6. A.R. Ciric and C.A. Floudas, A mixed integer nonlinear programming model for retrofitting heat exchanger networks, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 29(1990).

  7. A.R. Ciric and C.A. Floudas, Heat exchanger network synthesis without decomposition, Comp. Chem. Eng. 15, no. 6(1991).

    Google Scholar 

  8. R.D. Colberg and M. Morari, Analysis and synthesis of resilient heat exchanger networks, Adv. Chem. Eng. 14(1988).

  9. R.D. Colberg and M. Morari, Area and capital cost targets for heat exchanger network synthesis with constrained matches and unequal heat transfer coefficients, Comp. Chem. Eng. 14, no. 1(1990).

    Google Scholar 

  10. M.A. Duran and I.E. Grossmann, An outer-approximation algorithm for a class of mixed-integer nonlinear programs, Math. Progr. 36(1986).

  11. C.A. Floudas, OASIS: Discrete/continuous optimization approaches in process systems, Computer Aided Systems Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Princeton University (1990).

  12. C.A. Floudas, A.R. Ciric and I.E. Grossmann, Automatic synthesis of optimum heat exchanger network configurations, AIChE J. 32, no. 2(1986).

    Google Scholar 

  13. C.A. Floudas and A.R. Ciric, Global optimum issues on heat exchanger network synthesis,Proc. 3rd Int. Symp. on Process Systems Engineering (1988).

  14. C.A. Floudas and A.R. Ciric, Strategies for overcoming uncertainties in heat exchanger network synthesis, Comp. Chem. Eng. 13, no.10(1989).

  15. C.A. Floudas and I.E. Grossmann, Synthesis of flexible heat exchanger networks for multiperiod operation, Comp. Chem. Eng. 10, no. 2(1985).

    Google Scholar 

  16. C.A. Floudas and I.E. Grossmann, Automatic generation of multiperiod heat exchanger network configurations, Comp. Chem. Eng. 11, no. 2(1987).

    Google Scholar 

  17. C.A. Floudas and V. Visweswaran, A global optimization algorithm (GOP) for certain classes of nonconvex NLPs, I and II, Comp. Chem. Eng. 14(1990).

  18. M.R. Galli and J. Cerda, Synthesis of flexible heat exchanger networks III. Temperature and flowrate variations, Comp. Chem. Eng. 15(1991).

  19. I.E. Grossmann and C.A. Floudas, Active constraint strategy for flexibility analysis in chemical processes, Comp. Chem. Eng. 1, no. 6(1987).

    Google Scholar 

  20. I.E. Grossmann, A.W. Westerberg and L.T. Biegler, Retrofit design of processes,Proc. 1st Int. Conf. on Foundations of Computer Aided Processing Operations (FOCAPO), Park City, Utah (1987).

  21. T. Gundersen and L. Naess, The synthesis of cost optimal heat exchanger networks. An industrial review of the state of the art, Comp. Chem. Eng. 12(1988).

  22. T. Gundersen, Retrofit process design — research and application of systematic methods,FOCAPO-89, Colorado (1989).

  23. T. Gundersen, B. Sagli and K. Kiste, Problems in sequential and simultaneous strategies for heat exchanger network synthesis, in:Computer-Oriented Process Engineering (Elsevier Science, Amsterdam, 1991).

    Google Scholar 

  24. T. Gundersen, Process-synthese for design og regulering av prosessanleg, Arsmote-seminar i Norsk Forening for Automatisering, Soria Moria Konferansesenter, Oslo (1992).

  25. S.A. Gustafson, A three phase algorithm for semi-infinite programs, in:Semi-infinite Programming and Applications (Springer, New York, 1983).

    Google Scholar 

  26. K.P. Halemane and I.E. Grossmann, Optimal process design under uncertainty, AIChE J. 29(1983).

  27. G.R. Kocis and I.E. Grossmann, Relaxation strategy for the structural optimization of process flowsheets, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 26(1987).

  28. E. Kotjabasakis and B. Linnhoff, Sensitivity tables in the design of flexible processes: 1. How much contingency in heat exchanger networks is cost-effective?, J. Chem. Eng., Chem. Eng. Res. Des. 24(May 1986).

  29. E. Kotjabasakis and B. Linnhoff, Better system design reduces heat exchanger fouling costs, Oil and Gas J. 85(1987).

  30. K.W. Mathisen, S. Skogestad and T. Gundersen, Optimal bypass placement in heat exchanger networks,AIChE Spring National Meeting, New Orleans (1992).

  31. S.A. Papoulias and I.E. Grossmann, A structural optimization approach in process synthesis II. Heat recovery networks, Comp. Chem. Eng. 7, no. 6(1983).

    Google Scholar 

  32. W.R. Paterson, A replacement for logarithmic mean, Chem. Eng. Sci. 39, no. 11(1984).

  33. G.E. Paules and C.A. Floudas, APROS: Algorithmic development methodology for discrete-continuous optimization problems, Oper. Res. 37(1989).

  34. T.K. Pho and L. Lapidus, Topics in computer aided design: Part II. Synthesis of optimal heat exchanger networks by tree searching algorithms, AIChE J. 19, no. 6(1973).

    Google Scholar 

  35. E.N. Pistikopoulos and T.A. Mazzuchi, A novel flexibility index analysis approach for processes with stochastic parameters, Comp. Chem. Eng. 14, no. 9(1990).

    Google Scholar 

  36. I. Quesada and I.E. Grossmann, An LP/NLP based branch and bound algorithm for MINLP optimization,AIChE Meeting, Los Angeles (1991).

  37. A.K. Saboo and M. Morari, Design of resilient processing plants: IV. Some new results on heat exchanger network synthesis, Chem. Eng. Sci. 39, no. 3(1984).

    Google Scholar 

  38. A.K. Saboo, M. Morari and D.C. Woodcock, Design of resilient processing plants: VIII. A resilience index for heat exchanger networks, Chem. Eng. Sci. 40, no. 8(1985).

    Google Scholar 

  39. R.E. Swaney and I.E. Grossmann, An index for operational flexibility in chemical process design I, AIChE J. 31(1985).

  40. R.W. Swaney and I.E. Grossmann, An index for operational flexibility in chemical process design II, AIChE J. 31(1985).

  41. D.A. Straub and I.E. Grossmann, Integrated stochastic metric of flexibility for systems with discrete state and continuous parameter uncertainties, Comp. Chem. Eng. 14(1990).

  42. K.K. Trivedi, B.K. O'Neil, J.R. Roach and R.M. Wood, A new dual-temperature design method for the synthesis of heat exchanger networks, Comp. Chem. Eng. 13, no. 6(1988).

    Google Scholar 

  43. T.F. Yee and I.E. Grossmann, Optimization model for structural modifications in the retrofit of heat exchanger networks,Proc. 1st Int. Conf. on Foundations of Computer Aided Processing Operations (FOCAPO), Park City, Utah (1987).

  44. T.F. Yee and I.E. Grossmann, Simultaneous optimization models for heat integration II. Heat exchanger network synthesis, Comp. Chem. Eng. 14, no. 10(1990).

    Google Scholar 

  45. T.F. Yee and I.E. Grossmann, A screening and optimization approach for the retrofit of heat-exchanger networks, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 30(1991).

  46. E.N. Pistikopoulos and I.E. Grossmann, Optimal retrofit design for improving flexibility in linear systems, Comp. Chem. Eng. 12, no. 7 (1988).

    Google Scholar 

  47. E.N. Pistikopoulos and I.E. Grossmann, Optimal retrofit design for improving process flexibility in nonlinear systems, I and II, Comp. Chem. Eng. 13, no. 9 (1989).

    Google Scholar 

  48. A.M. Geoffrion, Generalized Benders Decomposition, J. Optim. Theory App. 10(1972)237–260.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Process Systems Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemical Technology, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, SW7 2BY, London, England

    Katerina P. Papalexandri & Efstratios N. Pistikopoulos

Authors
  1. Katerina P. Papalexandri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Efstratios N. Pistikopoulos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Papalexandri, K.P., Pistikopoulos, E.N. An MINLP retrofit approach for improving the flexibility of heat exchanger networks. Ann Oper Res 42, 119–168 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02023174

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02023174

Keywords

Search

Navigation