Estimation of Optimum Heat Exchanger Area of Vapor Compression-absorption Integrated System Using Modified Irreversibility Approach

This paper presents the optimum size and cost estimation of vapor compression-absorption integrated system (VCAIS) using coefficient of structural bonds (CSB) method of thermoeconomic optimization. The optimum area of heat exchanger is estimated provided overall heat transfer coefficient, operational and cost parameters are known along with CSB values. The modified as well as conventional Gouy-Stodola equation is used to compute the irreversibility and CSB of VCAIS and its components. The CSB method based on modified method predicts significant reduction in total annual cost of plant operation as compared to base case. The total optimized annual cost of plant operation determined by structural method is lower by 8.1% (conventional method) and 7.0% (modified method) as compared to base value. Comparison of structural method with an integrated optimization algorithm from Engineering Equation Solver (EES) shows that the modified method predicts the total annual cost of plant operation in a more accurate manner.