General methodology for exergy balance in ProSimPlus® process simulator

This paper presents a general methodology for exergy balance in chemical and thermal processes integrated in ProSimPlus® as a well-adapted process simulator for energy efficiency analysis. In this work, as well as using the general expressions for heat and work streams, the whole exergy balance is presented within only one software in order to fully automate exergy analysis. In addition, after exergy balance, the essential elements such as source of irreversibility for exergy analysis are presented to help the user for modifications on either process or utility system. The applicability of the proposed methodology in ProSimPlus® is shown through a simple scheme of Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) recovery process and its steam utility system. The methodology does not only provide the user with necessary exergetic criteria to pinpoint the source of exergy losses, it also helps the user to find the way to reduce the exergy losses. These features of the proposed exergy calculator make it preferable for its implementation in ProSimPlus® to define the most realistic and profitable retrofit projects on the existing chemical and thermal plants.

► A set of new expressions for calculation of exergy of material streams is developed.
► A general methodology for exergy balance in ProSimPlus® is presented.
► A panel of solutions based on exergy analysis is provided to help the user for modifications on process flowsheets.
► The exergy efficiency is chosen as a variable in a bi-criteria optimization.