Targeting for cogeneration potential and steam allocation for steam distribution network

Cogeneration systems are recognized as an efficient means of supplying heat and power for industrial processes. Due to the rising awareness on environmental sustainability, much effort has been seen to improve the efficiency of cogeneration systems. This calls for the systematic synthesis of steam distribution networks. This paper first presents a novel algebraic technique – steam cascade analysis (SCA) to determine the targets for steam flowrates (single and multiple steam sources), and cogeneration potential for a steam distribution network, prior to detailed system design. The concept of SCA is then extended into an optimization framework based on the concept of the established automated targeting model. The latter allows different objective functions to be solved based on various constraints set by process and design engineers, prior to detailed design exercises. To illustrate the proposed approaches, an integrated palm oil processing complex case study is solved.