Pinch Technology for the Synthesis of Optimal Heat and Power Systems

In recent years a new methodology for the analysis and design of heat exchanger networks, called pinch technology, has led to significant energy savings in the chemical and process industries. The methodology has been extended to apply to integrated and heat power systems. This paper shows that pinch technology is firmly based in Second Law Analysis. In contrast to conventional Second Law Analysis, however, it does not require a base case design. Rather, it performs true synthesis. Also, it is capable of a methodical distinction between inevitable and avoidable exergy losses.