9. Process synthesis for energy efficiency based on the pinch analysis approach

The pinch analysis approach iswidely used in process synthesis to guide the design and retrofitting of heat exchanger networks. Using this approach, the energy target clearly indicates themaximumenergy recovery for a certainminimumtemperature difference. The rules proposed in the pinch analysis approach can be used to find bottlenecks in a retrofitted heat exchanger network. Pinch analysis can be extended to the analysis of other energy systems. Grand composite curves derived using this approach are used to analyze utility systems, heat integration of reactors, and distillation columns. The total site pinch approach can be used to determine the energy target for multiple plants. This chapter introduces the applications of pinch analysis and illustrates the approach with an industrial case.