Jarusarn P., Angsutorn N., Chuvaree R., Iyara N., Siemanond K., 2013, Heat Exchanger Network Improvement on Gas Separation Plant No.6 (GSP6) in Thailand, Chemical Engineering Transactions, 32, 1423-1428.
One of the most common concerns of gas separation plants throughout the world is high energy and utility consumption. This research was undertaken to address this problem at PTT Public Company Limited in Thailand and focused on improving the heat exchanger network (HEN) of its Gas Separation Plant No. 6 (GSP6). One way of decreasing utility consumption is the application of a technique that can find an optimum HEN. This technique is the pinch design method (PDM) with a stage-wise model mathematical programming using Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP). First, HEN improvement potential is found from hot and cold composite curves of the existing HEN of GSP6 with heat recovery approach temperature (HRAT) or ?Tmin at 7.95°C. Then mathematical programming by General Algebraic System (GAMS) is used to develop a stage-wise model proposed by Yee et al. (1990). Here, the PDM is proposed to determine above and below pinch sections to generate the HEN at different ?Tmin at 3°C and 5°C. Furthermore, the relaxation technique using GAMS is used to improve the results of the stage-wise model that would generate maximum net present value (NPV). The study concludes by providing a HEN design with reduced utility usage and complexity, resulting in a more profitable HEN.
