Retrofit of pressure drop constrained heat exchanger networks

The study of retrofit of heat exchanger networks is usually restricted to c onstant heat transfer coefficients, and pressure drop constraints due to th e additional exchanger area is neglected. In this work, a new approach cons idering the distribution of heat transfer area and pressure drop in retrofi t is presented. The problem is described as a non-linear model, and the add itional area required for the new network condition and available pressure drop are estimated based on economical optimisation (or process requirement s). (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.