Some remarks on heat exchanger networks targeting under uncertainty

The authors discuss certain important points related to a challenging probl em of designing flexible heat exchanger networks (HENs). The main aim of the paper is to show the necessity of a targeting step to b e employed into an overall process design of HENs under uncertainty. Such a targeting method should provide the user an insight into the complex behav iour of pinches, which depends on disturbances. Also, it should show the st ructural effects of pinch changes. More specifically, the following main points are discussed and analysed usi ng examples: definitions and heuristics on convex/non-convex HEN problems a nd their influence on designing process; advantages and shortcomings of exi sting targeting methods for flexible HENs.