Optimal design of batch mass exchange networks with multipurpose exchange units

•Time-sharing scheme for multipurpose mass exchangers is introduced.•Multipurpose mass exchangers can be utilized more efficiently in batch MEN.•Utility and capital costs can be simultaneously reduced with multipurpose exchangers.

A novel mathematical model for simultaneous optimization of batch mass exchange networks with multipurpose mass exchange units that can be shared by more than one match in different periods is presented in this work. It can be shown that both utility cost and capital investment can be reduced simultaneously with the use of multipurpose mass exchangers and mass storage tanks. Specifically, state-space superstructure that does not contain any structural simplification is proposed to capture the entire characteristics of the network configuration and a mixed-integer nonlinear optimization model is then formulated accordingly to generate the optimal batch operating policies and the corresponding flowsheet. Two examples are presented in this paper to demonstrate the validity and advantages of the proposed approach.