Globally optimal linear approach for the design of process equipment: The case of air coolers

In a recent article, Goncalves et al.,11,12 introduced a linear and rigorous methodology for equipment design, in particular shell and tube heat exchanger. Here, we explore its application to air coolers, a problem that we solve globally for the first time. Because the approach is linear, results are globally optimal. The objective function is the total annualized cost. The constraints include the thermal and hydraulic modeling of the process stream flow in the tube bundle and the air flow through the finned surface. In addition, we worked on reducing computing time, through an analysis of different alternatives for the description of the original discrete variables organized in sets of binary variables. The performance of the proposed approach is illustrated through its comparison with an air cooler described in the literature. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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