Rapid analysis of heat recovery in industrial plants

The integration of hot and cold streams in processes of industrial plants is an important aspect for recovering heat and reducing energy consumption. This paper proposes a rapid analysis method on integrating hot and cold streams in industrial plants, whereby cost and profit for heat recovery can be worked out rapidly. Therefore the results can be used to determine whether a further detailed feasibility study should be carried out and optimal heat exchanger networks have to be synthesized. Meanwhile, an optimization method is also suggested for choosing the minimum optimal temperature difference in exchanger. And, on the basis of the method proposed, the computer program AIHCS has been compiled and applied to a practical case whose results fully verify the effectiveness of this (rapid analysis) method.