Simultaneous Synthesis and Optimization of Refrigeration Cycles and Heat Exchangers Networks

This work proposes a simultaneous approach for the synthesis and design optimization of refrigeration cycles integrated with heat exchanger networks. The methodology includes a novel refrigeration cycle superstructure capable of reproducing a wide range of cycle architectures, and an effective solution algorithm (based on the decomposition of the problem on two levels) to tackle the challenging Mixed-Integer Nonlinear Program. In addition to optimizing the cycle and heat exchanger network structure, the methodology can optimize cycle pressures and temperatures (including superheating and subcooling degree of the working fluid). The application to a literature case study indicates that the proposed approach yields solutions that are considerably better in terms of economic than those published in the literature.