Simultaneous optimization and heat integration with process simulator

Abstract: "Strategies are presented for performing maximum heat integration of process streams simultaneously with flowsheet optimization in sequential process simulators. The strategies have been implemented on FLOWTRAN, using infeasible path optimization methods. Two formulations for performing the heat integration are compared in terms of reliability and computational efficiency. Results on complex process flowsheets show that this approach can produce substantial savings in raw material consumption through more efficient energy integration. Moreover, based on a simplified model, it is proved that these savings can always be achieved in recycle processes."