A novel node-based non-structural model for mass exchanger network synthesis using a stochastic algorithm

A Novel Chessboard Model for Optimization of Mass Exchange Network Synthesis

“…Generally, the simultaneous optimization methods treat the transferred masses as decision variables to optimize single-component MENs. − Once the algorithm optimizes variables (such as transferred masses, flow rates, and split ratios), these optimized values are used to calculate specific parameters of the obtained MEN, such as the inlet and outlet compositions of each component and the number of trays. Essentially, throughout the calculation process, these optimized variables are treated as known values.…”

“…The structure of the optimized network for Example 1 obtained using the chessboard model with the RWCE algorithm is shown in Figure . The figure reveals the presence of five exchange units, which differs from the structures obtained by Hou et al and Zhou et al…”

“…Table compares the results from published work for Example 1. It can be observed that the TAC of the network in this paper is reduced by 715 $·yr –1 compared with the result obtained by Zhou …”

“…However, their structural matches were identical to those presented by Chen and Hung. 24 Most recently, Zhou et al 34 used the NNM, originally proposed for HENS, to optimize Example 1 and obtained the best structure with a TAC of 410,476 $•yr −1 .…”

“…The SBS model defines mass exchange superstructure intervals based on the supply compositions of all streams, which is the main distinction between SBS and IBMS. Several other superstructure models have also been proposed, including block superstructure and stare-task-network superstructure. , Recently, Zhou et al introduced the node-based nonstructural model (NNM) for synthesizing single-component MENs. The NNM replaced the concept of “stage” in the SWS model with “node”.…”