CN4205R Pinch Analysis and Process Integration (AY2020-21 | Sem-1)

Tutorial 02

Discussion Question 1

Results from the application of problem table procedure (also known as temperature interval
analysis) of process streams in 3 different plants are summarized in Tables 1 to 3. For each of
them, study the heat cascade in column 3, provide feasible cascade in column 4, and then find
the pinch point and minimum utilities. Note that stream data are not required for this analysis.

Table 1 Results from Temperature Interval Analysis of Process Streams: Set A

HST CST Heat Cascade: Feasible
Feasible or Infeasible? Cascade
340 330 0
300 290 21.6
270 260 -16.2
200 190 -90.4
160 150 -139.2
130 120 -106.8
90 80 -22.4
80 70 -6.7
40 30 -43.9

Table 2 Results from Temperature Interval Analysis of Process Streams: Set B

HST CST Heat Cascade: Feasible
Feasible or Infeasible? Cascade
590 570 0
533 513 135.4
471 451 364.6
450 430 475.3
420 400 585.5
400 380 544.4
320 300 189.9
300 280 183.9
220 200 -50.3
200 180 -76.8
170 150 -164.0
150 130 -169.6
120 100 -217.6

AY2020-21 | Sem-1 Tutorial 02

 Table 3 Results from Temperature Interval Analysis of Process Streams: Set C
HST CST Heat Cascade: Feasible
Feasible or Infeasible? Cascade
500 480 0
470 450 120
440 420 210
420 400 255
201 181 529
200 180 0
100 80 125
80 60 70
70 50 52.5
60 40 45

Discussion Question 2

Refer to the heat exchanger network (shown in Figure 2-1). Pinch analysis of the given stream
system for ΔTmin = 30 °C shows that the pinch temperature for this process is 120°C (135°C for
hot streams /105°C for cold streams). Find out the hot and cold utility targets only using the
information given in the heat exchanger network below (No need to use problem table analysis
or composite curve method). Does the proposed heat exchanger network meet the targets? If not,
locate and quantify (in kW) violations of the pinch rule(s) in this network. Note: The
temperatures shown in the network are in °C.

CP (kW/°C) ∆H (kW)

350 110
H1 3.0 2 C1 720
170 kW
260 80
H2 1.2 3 C1 216
96 kW
160 90
H3 9.0 1 C1 630
405 kW
210 105
C1 12.0 H 3 1 1260
915 kW 120 kW 225 kW

140 30
C2 5.0 2 550
550 kW

Figure 2-1: Heat exchanger network for discussion question 2

AY2020-21 | Sem-1 Tutorial 02

Discussion Question 3

H2 H1

90oC 150oC
CP
Stream
25 C o o
70 C o
100 C (kW/0C)
C2 C1 2.5
C2 3.0
73.125oC H1 2.5
H2 8.0
114o
CU C

HU
60oC

20oC
74oC 125oC
C1

60oC

Figure 3-1: Process flow diagram for discussion question 3

The Figure 3-1 shows the heat exchanger network (HEN) for an existing pharmaceutical
process.

(a) Calculate Tpinch, QH,min and QC,min for this process for a minimum driving force (∆Tmin) of
20oC, Does the above network achieve the maximum energy recovery target for ∆Tmin =
20oC ? If not, establish the potential for hot and cold utility savings.
(This part to be completed by students based on Lecture-01/Lecture-02 discussion).

(b) Design a heat exchanger network that meets the MER target. Try to retain existing units
in their current locations as much as possible.

PRACTICE PROBLEM 1 (For practice at home)

You are the engineer working on certain process modifications in a petrochemical plant. For this,
a contractor proposes a heat exchanger network for the following process streams, which
requires 16.4 MW and 11.8 MW of hot and cold utilities respectively.

Stream Supply Target Temp. Heat Capacity ×

Temp. (oC) (oC) Flow Rate (kW/oC)
1 150 100 40
2 170 150 360
3 150 40 20
4 240 40 30
5 20 180 50
6 180 220 100
7 200 220 500
AY2020-21 | Sem-1 Tutorial 02
In the contractor’s network, driving forces are generally large, and the minimum driving force is
20oC. Present data, analysis and/or results to convince your manager that better energy
conservation (and hence reduced utilities consumption) can be achieved among the above
process streams. Using the data that you have obtained to convince your manager, design Heat
exchanger network for this problem.

PRACTICE PROBLEM 2 (For practice at home)

Try to design a heat exchanger network for Discussion Question 1 from Tutorial 1. Do not worry
if you face difficulty, we will discuss this in the later chapter.

AY2020-21 | Sem-1 Tutorial 02