A Multi-Objective Optimization Method to integrate Heat Pumps in Industrial Processes

Aim of process integration methods is to increase the efficiency of industrial processes by using pinch analysis combined with process design methods. In this context, appropriate integrated utilities offer promising opportunities to reduce energy consumption, operating costs and pollutants emissions. Energy integration methods are able to integrate any type of predefined utility, but so far there is no systematic approach to generate potential utilities models based on their technology limits. This work focusses on the integration of industrial heat pumps and the development of a corresponding heat pump data base. This latter offers the possibility to integrate different heat pump types to any process, in a flexible and systematic way. A methodology, integrating the heat pump data base in an energy integration problem, and using multi objective optimization in order to identify optimal solutions, is presented. The results of a brewery process are presented and analyzed.