Methodology of Enhancing Heat Utilization Efficiency in a Chemical Plant

Abstract

There are many methods of minimizing energy consumption in chemical processes at the design stage such as the well-known pinch analysis. We have tried to create a methodology suitable for existing plants and their site engineers. First, all the energy sources and consumers are identified. Then the plant is divided into parts where waste heat is utilized and those where the waste heat is released. The opportunities of improving energetic efficiency are identified. Finally, feasibility of measures and economic effectiveness are assessed. The use of the methodology is illustrated on the example of a sulfuric acid plant. To advantage the simulation program HYSYS with a simple user-friendly graphics interface can be used for evaluation of different modifications of the process.