Process Systems Engineering

Synthesis of heat exchanger networks at subambient conditions with compression and expansion of process streams

  1. Achim Wechsung1,
  2. Audun Aspelund2,
  3. Truls Gundersen2,
  4. Paul I. Barton1,*

Article first published online: 23 SEP 2010

DOI: 10.1002/aic.12412

Issue

AIChE Journal

AIChE Journal

Volume 57, Issue 8, pages 2090–2108, August 2011

Additional Information

How to Cite

Wechsung, A., Aspelund, A., Gundersen, T. and Barton, P. I. (2011), Synthesis of heat exchanger networks at subambient conditions with compression and expansion of process streams. AIChE J., 57: 2090–2108. doi: 10.1002/aic.12412

Author Information

  1. 1

    Dep. of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139

  2. 2

    Dep. of Energy and Process Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway

*Dep. of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 12 JUL 2011
  2. Article first published online: 23 SEP 2010
  3. Accepted manuscript online: 25 AUG 2010 12:01PM EST
  4. Manuscript Revised: 3 AUG 2010
  5. Manuscript Received: 24 FEB 2010

Funded by

  • The Research Council of Norway, Statoil
  • SINTEF Energy Research

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Keywords:

  • Optimization;
  • heat exchanger network;
  • process design;
  • heat recovery;
  • pressure recovery;
  • pinch analysis;
  • exergy;
  • natural gas;
  • carbon dioxide;
  • LNG;
  • CCS

Abstract

This article presents an optimization formulation for the synthesis of heat exchanger networks where pressure levels of process streams can be adjusted to improve heat integration. Especially important at subambient conditions, this allows for the interconversion of work, temperature, and pressure-based exergy and leads to reduced usage of expensive cold utility. Furthermore, stream temperatures and pressures are tuned for close tracking of the composite curves yielding increased exergy efficiency. The formulation is showcased on a simple example and applied to a case study drawn from the design of an offshore natural gas liquefaction process. Aided by the optimization, it is demonstrated how the process can extract exergy from liquid nitrogen and carbon dioxide streams to support the liquefaction of a natural gas stream without additional utilities. This process is part of a liquefied energy chain, which, supplies natural gas for power generation while facilitating carbon dioxide sequestration. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011

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