Control structure design for optimal operation of heat exchanger networks

• Published in: AIChE journal Vol. 54; no. 1; pp. 150 - 162
• Main Authors: Lersbamrungsuk, Veerayut, Srinophakun, Thongchai, Narasimhan, Sridharakumar, Skogestad, Sigurd
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 2008; Wiley Subscription Services; American Institute of Chemical Engineers
• Subjects: active constraint control; Applications of mathematics to chemical engineering. Modeling. Simulation. Optimization; Applied sciences; Chemical engineering; control structure design; Control systems; Exact sciences and technology; heat exchanger networks; Heat exchangers; Heat exchangers and evaporators; Integer programming; optimal operation; Simulation; split-range control; active constraint control; Meshed network; Linear programming; heat exchanger networks; Modeling; Design; optimal operation; Control constraint; Utilities; Bypass; Heat exchanger; control structure design; Objective function; Dynamic model; split-range control; Mathematical programming
• ISSN: 0001-1541; 1547-5905
• DOI: 10.1002/aic.11366

When only single bypasses and utility duties are used as manipulations, optimal operation of heat exchanger networks (HENs) can be categorized as an active constraint control problem. This work suggests a simple split-range control scheme to implement the optimal operation. For a given HEN and information about the disturbances, the corresponding control structure can be found by solving an integer-linear programming (ILP) problem with two objective functions providing optimal split-range pairs (for tracking active constraints during the operation) and appropriate control pairings (for fast control action). A HEN case study is used to demonstrate the application of the proposed design technique. Dynamic simulation shows the ability to provide the optimal operation of the obtained control structure. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008