Optimization of Hydrogen Distribution Network Considering Pressure and heat recovery

Hydrogen is an important resource in chemical processes. In the hydrogen network, many units are operating at high temperature and pressure, which leads to a large energy change of hydrogen streams. However, the recovery of heat and work in the hydrogen flows has seldom been studied together with the optimization of hydrogen network. It is obviously that the reuse of heat and work energy will raise the effective utilization rate of energy. The recovery of heat could be realized by heat exchangers. The recovery of work will be realized by rotary work exchangers, which are composed of several compressors and turbines with the same shaft. A state space superstructure is adopted to handle all the variables. The mathematical model is built based on exergoeconomic analysis considering both energy and economic factors. The optimization problem will be a mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem. The existing algorithms will be improved. A typical refinery hydrogen network is studied as an example. The state space superstructure, exergoeconomic analysis and proposed algorithm could solve the problem competently. The consideration of pressure and heat recovery could reduce the energy consumption and economic cost simultaneously.