Graphical Approach for Targeting Work Exchange Networks

Depressurization and pressurization streams in industrial systems constitute a work exchange network (WEN). In this paper, a novel graphical approach for targeting energy conservation potential of a WEN is proposed. Through constructing the composite work curves in the pressure-work diagram and assuming all of the mechanical energy of the depressurization streams is recovered by expanders, the maximum work target of a WEN can be determined via the proposed targeting steps. A WEN in an ammonia production process is used as a case study to illustrate the applicability of the proposed graphical approach.

Authors:

• Hui Chen
• Xiao Feng

Keywords:

• Expanders
• Graphical approach
• Pressure-work diagram
• Work exchange network
• Work target

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