Thermal integration of processes with heat engines and heat pumps

An extended transportation array representation is developed for the design of process heat recovery networks incorporating heat engines and heat pumps. The formulation automatically accounts for the relocation of pinches in the integrated system. The optimal heat flow pattern is determined based on simple economic criteria. Simplified models of heat engine and heat pump systems are developed that permit integration options to be identified on the basis of heat flows without requiring specific cycle designs. The solution array identifies design alternatives and provides a decision framework to guide in selecting the final design topology.