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Synthesis of Mass‐Exchange Networks with Multiple Target Mass‐Separating Agents
Author(s) -
Garrison G. W.,
Cooley B. L.,
ElHalwagi M. M.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
developments in chemical engineering and mineral processing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1932-2143
pISSN - 0969-1855
DOI - 10.1002/apj.5500030105
Subject(s) - integer (computer science) , set (abstract data type) , streams , computer science , mass transfer , work (physics) , mathematical optimization , engineering , chemistry , mathematics , computer network , mechanical engineering , programming language , chromatography
A systematic procedure is developed for the simultaneous synthesis of primary mass‐exchange networks and their associated regeneration systems, The purpose of the mass‐exchange network is to preferentially transfer certain pollutants from a set of rich streams to a set of lean streams. The regeneration system subsequently regenerates any recyclable lean stream. In this work, we account for the possibility of each mass‐separating agent to split into a number of substreams with different target compositions. Accounting for this possibility of multiple target mass‐separating agents introduces additional design degrees of freedom which can provide a significant economic benefit. A mixed integer nonlinear program is formulated and solved to minimize the operating cost of both networks simultaneously. The solution of this program provides the optimal flow rates and composition ranges of all lean and regenerative streams without any prior commitment to the network structure. Subsequently, a network is synthesized to minimize the fixed cost while realizing the minimum operating cost.