A PROCESS SYNTHESIS MODELING FRAMEWORK BASED ON MASS HEAT-TRANSFER MODULE HYPERSTRUCTURE

A process synthesis modelling framework is proposed, based on the repr esentation of synthesis alternatives via mass and heat transfer mechan isms. A simple, yet multipurpose mass/heat exchange module is introduc ed to represent the building block for any process operation involving mass/heat exchange process between two properly defined streams. A fl owsheet hyperstructure is then developed comprising mass/heat exchange matches properly connected; conventional or non-conventional:units an d process structures can be obtained from this representation through the minimization of a corresponding annualized cost.