ASSIGNMENT 1

MAXIMUM ENERGY RECOVERY HEN DESIGN USING PINCH TECHNOLOGY

(1) For the two-hot two cold stream process example used in class, synthesize a heat exchanger
network consisting of minimum number of exchangers (MHE design) using evolutionary synthesis
starting from the pinch design using a minimum approach temperature of 100C. For each step of
the evolutionary synthesis procedure report the heat exchanger being deleted, the loop used to
delete the exchanger, the heat load circulated around the loop, the exchangers that violate minimum
approach temperature, the path used to restore minimum approach temperature and the load shifted
along the path, in the form of a table. Also give the final design as a grid diagram clearly indicating
the heat loads of all exchangers, the intermediate stream temperatures and total hot and cold utility
required by the design.

(2) A HEN has to be designed for the process stream data given in Table 1. Choose a minimum
approach temperature 15 deg C and estimate the area for the enthalpy interval just above the pinch
temperature based on Vertical Heat Transfer assumption. Present your results in the form of a
table containing the enthalpy interval, the streams in the interval, the hot and cold stream
temperatures in the interval, and area estimated for the interval

Table 1: Stream data

Stream FCp (kW/0C) Tin Tout hi (kW/m2
(0C) (0C) 0
C)
H1 10 175 45 0.2
H2 40 125 65 0.2
C1 20 20 155 0.2
C2 15 40 112 0.2
HU (steam) 180 180 0.2
CU 15 25 0.2

(b) An Excel spreadsheet is given which estimates the minimum utilities, network area based on
VHT assumption, and annualized network cost (TAC) for the above problem using an approach
temperature of 25 deg C. Set up similar spreadsheets for different approach temperatures (5, 10,
15, 20 deg C). Fit a quadratic function for TAC vs minimum approach temperature and find the
overall optimum minimum approach temperature by finding the minimum of the quadratic
function.

Cost of HU = $0.015/kWh
Cost of CU = $0.00125/kWh
Cost of exchanger = $ 30,000 + 750A0.81
Number of operating hours/year = 8000
Annualization factor = 0.322

(3) Use ASPEN Energy Analyzer (which is a part of ASPEN HYSYS) to obtain a ‘good’ design
with low annualized cost. Report the minimum approach temperature used in your design along
with HU and CU used, number of exchangers, total annual cost and the grid diagram of your
design. Compare the minimum total area estimated using VHT approximation (corresponding to
the minimum approach temperature used in your design) with the actual network area used in your
design.