HYBRID APPROACH IN TOTAL SITE WATER NETWORKS

Resumen

The advantages of using an optimization approach with superstructure in the synthesis of water networks in industrial plants are well known, among which we can mention: (1) capacity to assess a large number of structural and operational alternatives, simultaneously, (2) possibility of automation to a higher level the synthesis procedure and (3) ability to deal efficiently with many issues, such as process streams constraints, etc. However, this approach does not eliminate inherent nonlinearities and the transparence and visualization of the synthesis procedure is almost completely lost. This paper proposes a systematic way to link the methodology of the Water Sources Diagram (WSD) with a mathematical programming procedure for the maximization of water reuse in total site industrial plants. The results obtained show that the hybrid approach is extremely useful for the general understanding of the problem and for the determination of a better result.