Optimizing heat exchanger networks with genetic algorithms for designing each heat exchanger including condensers

This paper presents a procedure for the design of the components of a heat exchanger network (HEN). The procedure first uses pinch analysis to maximize heat recovery for a given minimum temperature difference. Using a genetic algorithm (GA), each exchanger of the network is designed in order to minimize its total annual cost. Eleven design variables related to the exchanger geometry are considered. For exchanger involving hot or cold utilities, mass flow rate of the utility fluid is also considered as a design variable. Partial or complete condensation of hot utility fluid (i.e., water vapor) is allowed. Purchase cost and operational cost are considered in the optimization of each exchanger. Combining every exchanger minimized cost with the cost of hot utility and cold utility gives the total cost of the HEN for a particular ΔT_min. The minimum temperature difference yielding the more economical heat exchanger network is chosen as the optimal solution. Two test cases are studied, for which we show the minimized total cost as a function of the minimum temperature difference. A comparison is also made between the optimal solution with the cost of utilities and without it.