Calculation of heat exchanger networks for limiting fouling effects in the petrochemical industry

The paper presents a method for designing of heat exchanger networks (HENs), which reduces the effects of thermal fouling resistance. The method is based on pinch technology, extended by two transformations. These are based on the criterion of minimum sensitivity to the fouling effects by a single heat exchanger and the HEN. The proposed method has been applied in the petrochemical industry where the two heat recovery systems, designed by the method described here, have been working successfully for some years.