A computerized and integrated approach for heat exchanger network design in multipurpose batch plants

Significant savings in the utility cost of batch plants can be obtained by heat integration. In this study, an integrated mathematical programming approach is developed for the determination of the cost optimal heat exchanger network for multipurpose batch chemical plants. A single step, interactive computer program (BatcHEN) which is developed for the determination of the campaigns (i.e. the set of products which can be produced simultaneously), the heat exchange areas of all possible heat exchangers in the campaigns and finally the heat exchanger network are all discussed. A matrix search algorithm is used for the determination of the campaigns. Heat exchange areas for the possible heat exchangers are found by solving a nonlinear optimization model with a grid search algorithm. Finally the heat exchanger network optimization is modeled as a mixed integer linear programming problem and then solved by the modeling and optimization software GAMS/XA.     

A monogenetic algorithm for optimal design of large-scale heat exchanger networks

The optimal design of large-scale heat exchanger networks is a quite difficult task not only due to its non-linear characteristics but also due to a great number of local optima in its solution space. An explicit analytical solution of stream temperatures for the superstructure heat exchanger networks was developed, which reduces number of decision variables significantly. Based on this solution, a mathematical model for synthesis of heat exchanger networks was formulated for searching the optimal configuration of a heat recovery system by a hybrid genetic algorithm. For large-scale heat exchanger networks, a monogenetic algorithm based on the optimization of sub-networks is proposed. In the first step of the optimization, the hybrid genetic algorithm is applied to the synthesis of the whole heat exchanger network for finding the functional groups (sub-networks) rather than the chromosomes (positions of the heat exchangers and splits of the streams) and genes (areas and heat capacity flow rates). Then the monogenetic algorithm for evolution of the functional groups is carried out to improve the HEN. This procedure was applied to examples taken from literature and better results were obtained.     

基于分解算法的功热交换网络多目标优化

功热网络设计问题指在流程设计中对变压和换热过程进行耦合优化设计的问题,以此来提高整体系统的能效并降低成本。前人工作中一般采用数学规划法对功热网络建模优化。然而,由于存在变压过程和换热器面积计算的非线性约束,以及换热匹配的二元变量,整体模型往往是一个高度非凸的混合整数非线性规划模型,难以求解。本文提出一种高效的功热网络优化方法。模型中分别用透平压缩机和换热器实现功热网络中轴功和热的交换。求解过程采用分解算法,主问题中用随机算法对关键变量优化,功和热两个子网络问题中用确定性算法求解。目标函数考虑了经济和环境影响。案例测试对比了不同优化目标得到的结果以及多目标Pareto曲线,验证了所提出方法的高效性。     

A MATRIX APPROACH FOR OPTIMIZATION OF PIPE NETWORKS IN COOLING WATER SYSTEMS

This article addresses the design problems associated with pipe networks in cooling water systems. The objective is to determine the lowest cost network that can supply the heat exchangers with cooling water at the flow rates previously established in the thermal design. The solution to the problem provides the diameter for each section of pipe in the network together with the corresponding pump alternative. The objective function and constraints are organized in a matrix formulation where the solution consists of a set of linear programming problems. The basic structure of the optimal design problem also extends to the solution for revamp problems. The comparison of the proposed approach to the traditional solution based on economical velocities indicates that the optimization scheme can make pipe network designs less expensive and more reliable for supplying cooling water.     

渐缩流通面积换热器的结构及特性

为了更好地解决饱和温度下蒸汽凝结水的热量回收利用问题,设计了一种渐缩流通面积换热器.该换热器通过缩小凝结水冷却段的管程流通面积,使其在管内的流速显著提高,从而提高凝结水冷却段的总传热系数.可更经济合理地用单台换热实现管程水蒸汽的冷凝及其凝结水的冷却、壳程介质被加热的换热过程.本文介绍其结构工作原理及特性.     

The Optimum Heat Transfer Area of the Air Precooler in a Two-Stage Evaporative Cooler

The main objective of this study is to experimentally evaluate the effect of the air precooler heat transfer area on the effectiveness of a two-stage evaporative air cooler. To the best of our knowledge, this effect has not been studied before. In the experimental unit used, there were three identical heat exchangers to precool the ambient air prior to its flow into the direct evaporative cooling unit. These heat exchangers can work individually or be combined to control the total heat transfer area of the air precooler. In addition, the effectiveness of the two-stage system was measured as a function of the ratio between the mass flow rate of water flowing over the packing and the mass flow rate of the dry air passing through the packing; the effectiveness also depends on the mass flow rate of water flowing into the precoolers. The data obtained showed that there is an optimum value for the air precooler heat transfer area at which the thermal performance of the two-stage evaporative cooler has the maximum value. Moreover, the system effectiveness improved with the rate of flow of water into the first and the second precoolers. Note that the optimum value of the precooler heat transfer area should be determined accurately for each set of design and operating conditions.     

Design of resilient processing plants—II Design and control of energy management systems

The “standard heat exchanger network problem” has been surprisingly difficult to solve. It is only now that simple and reliable methods have evolved to synthesize the most efficient network of heat exchangers to heat and cool known process streams between stated temperature bounds. This has taken over a decade of research and scores of publications.The “resilient heat exchanger network problem” requires a solution that can cope with the uncertainties of industrial design. Fixed flow rates and temperature bounds rarely occur industrially. Rather, an industrial heat exchanger network problem necessarily involves ranges of flow rates and ranges of temperature bounds, and must include ease of operation and control.In this paper we make several fundamental advances in the design of resilient heat exchanger networks. (1) An efficient design procedure is developed to yield resilient designs which handle fluctuations within the condition of maximum energy efficiency. (2) A control structure and operating policy are developed to adjust flow distributions in the network to meet temperature constraints with minimum utility usage.These developments are based on several new theorems concerning resiliency in network design.     

Augmentation of heat transfer performance in coiled flow inverter vis-à-vis conventional heat exchanger

In the present work, primarily two studies were carried out to ascertain the performance of coiled flow inverter (CFI) as heat exchanger at pilot plant scale. In the first study, performance of CFI heat exchanger has been compared with conventional heat exchangers, i.e. shell and tube heat exchanger (SHE) and plate type heat exchanger (PHE) under identical heat transfer area and process conditions. Experiments were conducted with water flowing under laminar flow regime within the flow range of 30–300 kg/h in the tube side of SHE and PHE. Friction factor and Nusselt number calculated from present experimental study in SHE and PHE were compared with the experimental data previously reported for CFI heat exchanger (Kumar et al., 2007). The Number of Transfer units (NTU) calculated in the present study for CFI was nearly 3.7–7.5 times higher as compared to SHE and 2–2.5 times higher as compared to PHE. In the second part of the study, experiments were performed first time to investigate the pressure drop and heat transfer of compressed air flowing under turbulent flow condition in CFI heat exchanger at pilot plant scale. Hot air at elevated pressures (10–30 kg/cm²) in the tube side of CFI heat exchanger with flow range 3×10⁴<N_Re<1.4×10⁵ was cooled by either cooling water or ambient air. The friction factor and Nusselt number values for compressed air flowing in the CFI were also compared with the experimental data reported in the literature for coiled tube at ambient conditions. On the basis of experimental results, new correlations for friction factor and Nusselt number of compressed air flowing under turbulent flow condition in CFI heat exchanger have been developed.     

基于遗传/模拟退火算法考虑压降的换热网络优化改造

工艺系统中需要加入新物流、现存的换热网络结构需要改动、换热网络有较大的能量回收潜力,这些都是换热网络需要进行改造的原因.本文基于非等温混合分级超结构,建立了换热网络优化改造的MINLP数学模型,同时考虑了改造后的公用工程费用、新增换热器的费用、原有换热器新增面积的费用、新增动力设备的费用.将用于换热网络综合的分级超结构模型进行了简要的改进,增加了一些和现存设备相关的限制条件和二元变量.通过对现存换热网络进行分析,充分的利用原有的换热设备和换热网络结构,基于GA/SA算法求解可 得到优化改造的换热网络结构.实际算例的计算结果和文献结果对比表明,本文得到的改造方案用较少的投 资,实现了较多的公用工程节省,新增设备费用的静态投资回收期为0.53年,为换热网络改造提供了好的可行方案.     

Constrained thermohydraulic optimization of the flow rate distribution in crude preheat trains

Crude preheat trains are heat exchanger networks which heat the crude oil stream in the petroleum distillation using hot product streams and pumparounds. The final heating step is executed in a furnace. The thermal efficiency of this process is strongly dependent on the crude preheat train performance, and, during the refinery operation, the heat load of the exchangers may decrease due to fouling. Associated to the reduction of the thermal effectiveness of the heat exchangers, fouling also causes an increase of the flow resistances along the thermal equipment. A potential approach to mitigate this problem is based on the optimization of the distribution of the flow rates in the crude preheat train for maximizing the final crude temperature. In this context, this paper presents a constrained nonlinear programming formulation for this task. The equality constraints encompass mass, energy and mechanical energy balances and heat exchanger equations for describing the thermal and hydraulic behavior of the system. The performance of the proposed approach is explored using two examples, a simple network and a crude preheat train based on a real Brazilian refinery.     

流道排列对多介质板式换热器性能的影响分析

以耗散数为目标函数,应用数值计算的方法分析了换热介质流道排列方式对板式换热器性能的影响。通过分析3～6个流道所包含的26种排列方式情况下的换热器耗散数及板间流动阻力损失变化,认为在相同的工况下,随着流道数量的增加,换热器总的压力损失呈阶梯降低的趋势;相同流道数情况下,冷热介质流道的排列形式对换热器耗散数影响较大;而相同的流道数量所对应的最小耗散数随流道数量的增加而降低,对多介质换热器性能的研究提供了一定的借鉴。     

三维翅片管外螺旋流动传热强化

流体在螺旋隔板换热器的壳程类似于塞状流流动,几乎没有返混和流动死区.在相同压降下,其传热系数比普通的弓形隔板换热器高得多.以润滑油作为实验介质,研究了润滑油在螺旋隔板单管换热器的壳程传热和压降性能,并与光滑管进行了性能对比.采用Wilson图解法分别分离出了螺旋隔板花瓣管和光滑管单管换热器的管程传热系数,并计算出各自的壳程传热系数,壳程传热系数相对误差为±3％.实验结果表明,在相同Reynolds数下,螺旋隔板花瓣管单管换热器的Nusselt数和压降Δp分别是螺旋隔板光滑管单管换热器的2～2.7倍和1.3～1.4倍.与螺旋隔板光滑管单管换热器相比,螺旋隔板花瓣管单管换热器的传热性能的提高远高于压降的提高,证明在螺旋流条件下,花瓣管具有很好的传热强化性能.     

换热器网络设备面积与清洗时序同步优化

表面结垢会严重影响换热器的传热效率,定期清洗是解决该问题的主要方式.针对以往换热器网络清洗时序优化方法中用于决策的整型变量较多而难以求解的问题,提出以换热器清洗的最大允许污垢热阻为优化变量,取代表示换热器是否清洗的二进制变量,将混合整数非线性规划问题转化成非线性规划问题,能够有效地减小问题规模,降低求解难度.优化过程中兼顾换热器网络的设计型与操作型问题,采用遗传/模拟退火算法同步优化换热器的面积与清洗时序.将该方法用于一个实例,所得年度总费用与文献基本一致,验证了该方法的有效性.     

考虑关键换热器备用的原油预热系统清垢周期优化

原油结垢是原油预热过程面临的一个严峻问题,它使换热器的传热系数降低,影响正常的生产过程。应对原油预热过程的结垢问题最普遍的方法就是对换热器进行周期清洁,并优化清洁周期。许多结垢严重的行业都采用换热器备用的方式来减少因换热器离线造成的热回收减小,但原油预热系统尚未考虑,因而进一步考虑了关键换热器的备用来进行原油预热系统清垢周期优化。首先选取关键换热器,再通过模拟退火算法进行清洁周期优化。应用所提出的方法对简化的原油预热系统进行了清垢周期优化,结果显示,考虑换热器备用时所得到的清垢周期经济效益更好。     

CFD simulation for steam distribution in header and tube assemblies

The study of the flow characteristics in manifolds (dividing, combining, parallel or Z-manifold and reverse or U-manifold) is a classic subject of engineering fluid dynamics and hydrodynamics. These manifolds are widely used in chemical processes, electronic cooling equipment, solar collectors, spargers, microchannels, fuel cells, heat exchangers and refrigerant distribution in multi-split type of air conditioner, etc. In the literature extensive work has been done for finding out flow distribution in plate-fin heat exchanger, microchannels and spargers. Present work focuses on the flow and pressure distribution in piping networks, which has gained importance in many areas such as air distribution in diffuser system of aerobic biological treatment, steam distribution in passive decay heat removal systems, etc.     

Optimal operation of heat exchanger networks through energy flow redistribution

This article presents a novel energy flow redistribution methodology to achieve optimal operation of heat exchanger networks. The proposed method aims to manipulate the propagation path of a disturbance through the network to reduce its impact on utility consumption. Specifically, an optimization problem is formulated to generate new duty targets for heat exchangers of the network when a disturbance is encountered. Subsequently, a feedback control system is designed to track these targets by manipulating bypasses around the process heat exchangers. The effectiveness of the proposed framework is illustrated with the help of three benchmark examples. The proposed approach can handle disturbances in inlet as well as target temperature, inlet flow and heat transfer coefficient of individual heat exchangers.     

基于群体智能算法的换热网络同步最优综合

换热网络同步综合方法一般需要建立复杂的混合整数非线性数学规划模型,该模型具有非凸、非线、不连续的特点,属于最难求解的一类NP-hard问题,应用传统的优化算法很难确定其全局最优解,尤其是对大规模换热网络综合问题,甚至无法在合理时间内接近全局最优的局部最优解。针对换热网络同步综合问题,提出基于群体智能算法的分层优化策略,外层采用离散粒子群算法与遗传算法相结合的混合群体智能算法优化换热网络结构,内层在结构变量给定条件下利用改进粒子群算法优化冷热物流分流比与换热负荷。两个典型算例研究证明了该方法能以较高的效率和稳定性得到较好的优化结果。     

Influence of thermal boundary conditions on calcium carbonate fouling in double pipe heat exchangers: Einfluβ der thermischen Randbedingungen auf die Ablagerung von CaCO3 in Doppelrohrwärmeübertragern

The influence of the heat transfer mode on CaCO₃ scaling in double pipe heat exchangers was investigated using Hasson's ionic diffusion model in conjunction with hard water equilibrium equations. Scale profiles were obtained over the length of the heat exchanger for subsaturated and supersaturated cooling water inlet conditions. The performance of heat exchangers can be evaluated with respect to scaling by integrating local deposition rates over the operation time of the heat exchanger. Two mass transfer correlations from the literature are compared with respect to the predicted scaling rates.     

Synthesis of cost-optimal heat exchanger networks using differential evolution

Heat exchanger network synthesis (HENS) has been one of the most-studied problems in process synthesis. Nevertheless, the complexity of the HENS problem provides enough scope for the development of novel algorithms involving the application of specialized optimization techniques. Evolutionary algorithms (EA) have emerged as viable alternatives to traditional methods for optimizing functions of both continuous and discrete variables. Differential evolution (DE) is one such evolutionary algorithm that promises simple, fast and robust optimization. The present study illustrates the application of this novel technique for the synthesis of heat exchanger networks. The HENS model proposed here considers stream splitting, does away with the simplifying assumption of isothermal mixing of the split streams and has the capability to handle compulsory and forbidden matching of streams. The DE-based model (DEM) does not rely on the decomposition of the problem into subproblems but employs a simultaneous method of approach to optimize the structure of the network of heat exchangers, the heat loads of these exchangers, the split stream heat flows and the minimum approach temperature. The proposed model has been applied to some case studies available in the literature and the results of these studies are very encouraging. The present work represents thus a step forward in the search for robust and efficient global optimization algorithms for the solution of the HENS problem.     

Optimization of a plate-fin heat exchanger design through an improved multi-objective teaching-learning based optimization (MO-ITLBO) algorithm

Teaching-learning-based optimization (TLBO) is a recently developed heuristic algorithm based on the natural phenomenon of teaching-learning process. In the present work, multi-objective improved teaching-learning-based optimization (MO-ITLBO) algorithm is introduced and applied for the multi-objective optimization of plate-fin heat exchangers. The basic TLBO algorithm is improved to enhance its exploration and exploitation capacities by introducing the concept of number of teachers, adaptive teaching factor, tutorial training and self-motivated learning. The MO-ITLBO algorithm uses a grid-based approach to adaptively assess the non-dominated solutions maintained in an external archive. Minimizing total annual cost and the total weight of heat exchanger as well as minimization of total pressure drop and maximization of heat exchanger effectiveness for specific heat duty requirement are considered as objective functions. Two application examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed algorithm.