Reconstruction of a heat exchanger network under industrial constraints - the case of a crude distillation unit

Heat exchanger network retrofit using a pinch based approach is presented. In this approach, the criterion of minimum sensitivity of heat exchanger to fouling effects is accounted for. The present paper introduces this criter ion without explaining its details that are described in the literature. A summary is given of WEN reconstruction in a crude distillation unit process ing 4.2 million ton crude oil per year. While the total heat quantity of ho t streams is 110 MW, the heat recovery in the existing HEN is 60 MW, Using Pinch Analysis, the target value of heat recovery at Delta T-min = 10 K was determined at 91 MW, Measurements were carried out on the existing HEN wit h the aim to determine the influence of fouling effects on the heat transfe r in the exchangers. Taking local constraints including fouling into accoun t, WEN reconstruction was proposed. The heat savings in the reconstructed H EN was estimated at 75 MW. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserv ed.