A PREDICTOR-BASED BOUNDING STRATEGY FOR SYNTHESIZING ENERGY INTEGRATED TOTAL FLOWSHEETS

The task of synthesizing optimal total flowsheets with energy integration usually represents a large combinatorial problem. In order to reduce the search space, an efficient bounding strategy is presented for synthesizing energy integrated total flowsheets with distillation-based liquid separation systems. The strategy utilizes a predictor-based ordered search technique and can be attached to the conceptual design of chemical processes. The strategy is based on computing lower bounds of the utility and investment costs for the feasible process alternatives. Beside optimizing the column matches the integration of heat pumps with separation system is also considered. The outlined procedure exploits the advantages of both major approaches, i.e. the hierarchical and algorithmic design.