Supertargeting for mass exchange networks Part I: Targeting and design techniques

This paper presents new methods for targeting the minimum capital costs of mass exchange networks. Three cases are considered: a single mass separatin g agent (MSA), non-overlapping MSAs, and overlapping MSAs. New graphical to ols, the y-x composite curve plot and the y-y* composite curve plot, have b een introduced for this purpose and these allow the minimum exchanger sizes to be predicted before any design. The new capital cost targets can be tra ded off against the established operating cost targets by varying the minim um composition difference, in order to optimize the total annual cost (supe rtargeting). A design technique has been developed which allows the targets to be closely approached. The new targeting and design techniques have bee n extended to a wide range of Mass Exchange Network Synthesis (MENS) proble ms which will be considered in Part II of this paper.