Modelling and optimisation for design of hydrogen networks for multi-period operation

Hydrogen management is a problem of increasing importance: hydrogen consumption of refineries is rising sharply with additional capacities of hydrocracking and hydrotreating units in order to comply with cleaner fuel specifications. Product Specifications for transportation fuels are becoming increasingly stringent to ensure production of environmentally more benign fuels. Hydrogen management techniques currently do not account for varying operating conditions of hydrogen consuming processes and assume constant operating conditions. A novel approach is developed for the design of flexible hydrogen networks that can remain optimally operable under multiple periods of operation. The proposed methodology for multi-period design of hydrogen networks can take into account pressure differences, maximum capacity of existing equipment, and optimal placement of new equipment such as compressors. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.