Design and Optimization of Multi- Stream Plate- Fin Heat Exchangers, by Simulated Annealing Algorithm

Although there is no long time from the first application of multi-stream heat exchangers (MSHE), but their benefits have made them attractive to be applied in a various situations. Several methods have been developed for designing of such exchangers due to their wide advantages such as simultaneous heat exchange between more than two streams in a single unit, significant savings in space, energy, structural supports and task flexibility. There is no published design method taking into account the effect of stream pressure drops as a design parameter when designing the heat exchanger. This research describes a new method for designing MSHE’s based on optimum pressure drops, using Simulated Annealing algorithm (SA) and Pinch Technology principles. In optimizing the whole heat exchanger parameters, total annual cost is considered to be the main objective function. The new procedure has been applied to a case study already reported in literature. The results showed 25% reduction in total annual cost and smaller heat exchanger volume by 16.2%. Therefore, the presented design and optimization algorithm in this paper seems to be a good alternative method to conventional design procedure

Keywords:

Multi-Stream Heat Exchangers , Plate & Fin Heat Exchangers , Optimization , Pressure Drop , Simulated Annealing