Heat and power networks in process design. Part I: Criteria for placement of heat engines and heat pumps in process networks

TLDR: In this article, the concept of appropriate heat engine and heat pump placement in process networks based on a fundamental new insight is presented, which takes advantage of integration opportunities with the remainder of the process and yields marginal efficiencies far greater than could be achieved through stand-alone heat engines.

Abstract: The general problem of heat and power integration in process networks is complex and to date not fully understood. The subject covers site combined heat and power, on-plant power generation, heat pumps, and refrigeration systems. This paper is the first of a two-part series and explains the concept of ''appropriate'' heat engine and heat pump placement in process networks based on a fundamental new insight. ''Appropriate'' placement takes advantage of integration opportunities with the remainder of the process and yields marginal efficiencies far greater than could be achieved through stand-alone heat engines. Conversely, ''inappropriate'' placement can never offer an advantage over stand-alone systems. Part II describes procedures for preliminary design, involving heat engine, and heat pump equipment selection and performance assessment.