ON THE VECTOR OPTIMIZATION OF HEAT EXCHANGE

Abstract

The possibility of improving the match between an energy source and an energy sink in an energy exchange system has been investigated to maximize both energy conservation and economic benefit. Trade-off curves between the total dissipation of available energy (exergy) and the total area of heat exchangers in the system have been obtained under three situations. In the first problem it is assumed that any heat source, of whatever quality and quantity, can be used for heat exchange. In the second problem available heat sources are specified and then the network of heat exchangers is synthesized. In the last problem, sizing of each heat exchanger is considered under the specified heat sources and heat exchanger network. Comparison of these trade-off curves suggests that an appropriate heat source or sources should be chosen by solving the heat source selection problem before the synthesis or design of a heat exchange system is carried out.