Pinch analysis sets the context
Pinch analysis combines hot and cold process streams to identify minimum external heating and cooling demand for an assumed minimum approach temperature. It exposes direct heat-recovery opportunities that should normally be taken before electrical upgrading.
Placement matters
A heat pump can move heat from below the pinch to above it, reducing both cooling and heating utilities. Poor placement may increase one utility while appearing to reduce another. The site heat balance must include the source cooling effect as well as useful sink heat.
- Build stream data from representative operating periods
- Select defensible minimum approach temperatures
- Construct hot and cold composites
- Locate the pinch and remaining utility targets
- Test heat-pump source and sink pairs against schedules
Use it at the right level
A screening study may use a simplified grand composite curve. Investment design needs process engineers to validate stream segmentation, phase changes, batch timing and forbidden matches.
Sources
Primary and authoritative sources used for the material claims on this page.