A matrix approach for steady-state simulation of heat exchanger networks

A steady-state simulation scheme for heat exchanger networks is presented. This proposal is based on a matrix approach composed by linear equations where network connectivity is addressed in the model explicitly using graph theory. The structure of the algorithm is flexible allowing the inclusion of the evaluation of heat transfer coefficients, physical properties variation in relation to temperature and pseudo-stationary simulations. The application of the proposed scheme is illustrated by the simulation of a heat exchanger network during a certain period considering the fouling rate.