Total Site targeting with process specific minimum temperature difference (ΔTmin)

The paper deals with an extension of Total Site Integration to Locally Integrated Energy Sectors producing more realistic utility and heat recovery targets. Process Heat Integration (based on Pinch Analysis) aims to minimise the amount of energy mostly used in industrial processes. It is still an open question how to solve the Total Site targeting problem when different values for the minimum allowed temperature differences (ΔTmin) are specified for each process on the site. A single uniform ΔTmin for all processes integrated in a Total Site, as practiced to date, cannot be generally optimal. Such an assumption may be too simplifying and lead to inadequate results due to imprecise estimation of the overall Total Site heat recovery targets. The modified Total Site targeting procedure, proposed in this paper, allows obtaining more realistic heat recovery targets for Total Sites. It is illustrated with a case study for Locally Integrated Energy Sectors, also providing a comparison with the traditional targeting procedure and the advantages offered by the modified one.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Total Site Integration with Process Specific Minimum Temperature Difference (ΔTmin). ► A uniform ΔTmin for all processes on a Site is not always realistic. ► A modified procedure for producing more realistic utility and heat recovery targets. ► Introduction of a ΔTmin specification matrix and algorithmic improvements. ► The results illustrate that the utility targeting discrepancy can be up to 30%.