Novel optimization method for retrofitting heat exchanger networks with intensified heat transfer

Enhancing heat transfer in an existing heat exchanger has received great attentions from process industries recently, as its implementation in heat exchanger networks is relatively simple, which only require very minor structural modifications in heat exchangers without modifying basic configuration of exchanger networks. In this study, a novel optimization approach is proposed for the retrofitting of heat exchanger networks with intensified heat transfer. The optimization framework has been developed to systematically identify the most appropriate location for the introduction of heat transfer enhancement and its optimal level in the retrofit scenarios. Iterative optimization of a simple MILP-based model has been proposed to deal with computational difficulties associated with non-linear terms in the optimization more effectively. A case study based on a literature example [1] has been carried out to demonstrate the validity and soundness of the proposed approach. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.