Combining reinforcement learning with mathematical programming:An approach for optimal design of heat exchanger networks

Heat integration is important for energy-saving in the process industry.It is linked to the persistently challenging task of optimal design of heat exchanger networks(HEN).Due to the inherent highly nonconvex nonlinear and combinatorial nature of the HEN problem,it is not easy to find solutions of high quality for large-scale problems.The reinforcement learning(RL)method,which learns strategies through ongoing exploration and exploitation,reveals advantages in such area.However,due to the complexity of the HEN design problem,the RL method for HEN should be dedicated and designed.A hybrid strategy combining RL with mathematical programming is proposed to take better advantage of both methods.An insightful state representation of the HEN structure as well as a customized reward function is introduced.A Q-learning algorithm is applied to update the HEN structure using theε-greedy strategy.Better results are obtained from three literature cases of different scales.

New Optimization Method, the Algorithms of Changes, for Heat Exchanger Design

Heat exchangers are widely used in the process engineering such as the chemical industries, the petroleum industries, and the HVAC applications etc. An optimally designed heat exchanger cannot only help the optimization of the equipment size but also the reduction of the power consumption. In this paper, a new optimization approach called algorithms of changes (AOC) is proposed for design and optimization of the shell-tube heat exchanger. This new optimization technique is developed based on the concept of the book of changes (I Ching) which is one of the oldest Chinese classic texts. In AOC, the hexagram operations in I Ching are generalized to binary string case and an iterative process, which imitates the I Ching inference, is defined. Before applying the AOC to the heat exchanger design problem, the new optimization method is examined by the benchmark optimization problems such as the global optimization test functions and the travelling salesman problem (TSP). Based on the TSP results, the AOC is shown to be superior to the genetic algorithms (GA). The AOC is then used in the optimal design of heat exchanger. The shell inside diameter, tube outside diameter, and baffles spacing are treated as the design (or optimized) variables. The cost of the heat exchanger is arranged as the objective function. For the heat exchanger design problem, the results show that the AOC is comparable to the GA method. Both methods can find the optimal solution in a short period of time.

Optimal design of the separate type heat pipe heat exchanger

Separate type heat pipe heat exchangers are often used for large-scale heat exchanging. The arrangement of such a heat exchanger conveniently allows heat input to and output from the heat exchanger at remote locations. The traditional method of designing an ordinary HPHE (heat pipe heat exchanger) is commonly applied in the separate type exchanger design, but the calculations have to be carried out separately, which makes it very complicated. In this work, the ε-NTU (effectiveness-Number of Transfer Units) method was applied for optimization analysis of single- or multi-level separate type heat pipe heat exchangers. An optimizing formula for single-level separate type heat pipe heat exchangers was obtained. The optimizing principles of effec- tiveness-NTU and heat transfer rate by the equal distribution method for multi-level separate type heat pipe heat exchanger are presented. The design of separate type heat pipe heat exchangers by the optimizing method is more convenient and faster than by the traditional method.

Flexibility analysis and design of heat exchanger network for syngas-to-methanol process

The heat exchanger network(HEN)in a syngas-to-methanol process was designed and optimized based on pinch technology under stable operating conditions to balance the energy consumption and economic gain.In actual industrial processes,fluctuations in production inevitably affect the stable operation of HENs.A flexibility analysis of the HEN was carried out to minimize such disturbances using the downstream paths method.The results show that two-third of the downstream paths cannot meet flexibility requirements,indicating that the HEN does not have enough flexibility to accommodate the disturbances in actual production.A flexible HEN was then designed with the method of dividing and subsequent merging of streams,which led to 13.89%and 20.82%reductions in energy consumption and total cost,respectively.Owing to the sufficient area margin and additional alternative heat exchangers,the flexible HEN was able to resist interference and maintain production stability and safety,with the total cost increasing by just 4.08%.

Design and Construction of a Spiral Heat Exchanger

In this article, the performance and applications of a Spiral Plate Heat Exchanger are demonstrated. Also, governing equation of heat transfer phenomena in such heat exchangers is discussed. Regarding the governing equations, a LAB-sized model of this type of heat exchanger was designed and constructed. Galvanized Iron sheets were used as the heat transfer surfaces. Two Galvanized Iron sheets were rolled together around a central core and, as a result, two separated channels were made. Also, a predesign simulation of the heat exchanger was done using the Fluent software to predict the performance of the heat exchanger. First the geometry was made using Gambit software environment then the model was analyzed through Fluent. Because of less fouling, easier cleaning and high heat transfer coefficient, Spiral Heat Exchanger is a good alternative to the other types of heat exchangers, especially when it’s going to handle high fouling flows or highly viscous fluids. Low fouling rate of the heat exchanger, reduces the need of cleaning and therefore the out of service will be decreased. In the constructed heat exchanger, Nusselt number increases as the mass flow rate increases. Average Nusselt number is about 100 that is very good.

A Pole Assignment Design Method of Process Control System for Tubular Heat Exchanger

This Paper has first studied the simplified model of tubular heat exchanger which is widely used in the industry and other field.On the basis of reference 2,a new pole assignment design method of pro-cess control system with derivative control action is found.For the above system,the method and the for-mation which calculate the feedback matrix K and gain matrix L is given,and the simulation of the system is made.

PIV Investigations of Flow Patterns in the Entrance Configuration of Plate-fin Heat Exchanger

Flow characteristics in the entrance of plate-fin heat exchanger have been investigated by means of particle image velocimetry (PIV). The flow field was measured using the two-frame cross-correlation technique. Streamline and velocity contour graphs at different cross-sections were obtained in the experiment. The experimental results indicate that flow maldistribution in the conventional header is very serious, while the improved header configuration with punched baffle can effectively improve the uniformity. The flow maldistribution parameter in plate-fin heat exchanger has been reduced from 1.21 to 0.21, and the ratio of the maximum velocity to the minimum is reduced from 23.2 to 1.8 by install-ing the punched baffle. The results suggest room for the optimum design of plate-fin heat exchanger.

Research on ground heat exchanger of Ground Source Heat Pump technique

Ground Source Heat Pump technique and its operating principle are described in this paper. Ground heat exchanger is the key technique of ground source heat pump and its patterns are discussed. Software is helpful to design ground heat exchanger. A project of Chinese Ground Source Heat Pump is introduced and its market is more and more extensive.

Assessment of micro-scale heat exchangers efficiency using lattice Boltzmann method and design of experiments

The study is focused on the use of nanofluids in a micro-open tall cavity,which is a type of micro heat exchanger(MHE).The cavity is heated from the bottom sidewall in a sinusoidal pattern,and the effects of four input parameters(Ra,Ha,Kn,and Vf)on heat transfer and irreversibility are investigated using numerical simulations based on Lattice Boltzmann Method(LBM).The findings of the study suggest that the local heat transfer on the bottom sidewall is strongly influenced by Ra and Ha,while the surface distribution of entropy generation is mainly dependent on Kn.The study also shows that the optimization of the magnitude and wavelength of the sinusoidal temperature can improve both local heat transfer and surface distribution of entropy generation.The results of the study provide valuable insights into the design of micro heat exchangers and suggest that the optimization of micro-porous geometries using DOE could lead to increased energy efficiency.The study contributes to our understanding of the complex interactions between input parameters in micro heat exchangers and highlights the importance of considering multiple parameters in the design process.

Entransy dissipation minimization for optimization of heat exchanger design

In this paper,by taking the water-water balanced counterflow heat exchanger as an example,the entransy dissipation theory is applied to optimizing the design of heat exchangers.Under certain conditions,the optimal duct aspect ratio is determined analytically.When the heat transfer area or the duct volume is fixed,analytical expressions of the optimal mass velocity and the minimal entransy dissipation rate are obtained.These results show that to reduce the irreversible dissipation in heat exchangers,the heat exchange area should be enlarged as much as possible,while the mass velocity should be reduced as low as possible.

Theoretical analysis of a method for segmented heat exchanger design

In the process of the design of heat exchangers,it is difficult to establish the factors governing the optimal points of the design objective functions due to the contradictions and uncertainties of the design objectives.The variation of fluid properties is one of the main factors causing this type of uncertainty.Conventional design methods have not completely solved these problems.In the present work,based on the logarithmic mean temperature difference,a new heat exchanger design method(called the segmented design method) is proposed which takes into account the variation of fluid properties with respect to the temperature.In this method,the whole heat exchanger is first divided into several segments.Then by applying the principle of the conservation of energy and taking into account the initial conditions as well as the connecting conditions of the adjacent segments,the inlet and outlet temperatures of each segment are determined.Finally,the application of the logarithmic mean temperature difference method on each segment defines the heat transfer area.

基于Aspen EDR的管壳式换热器工艺选型设计教学实践

管壳式换热器工艺选型设计是化工过程中设备设计的重要环节之一。为了避免手工计算中繁琐的计算和复杂的校核问题,以无相变的乙醇冷却器为例,探讨Aspen EDR软件在管壳式换热器工艺选型设计中的实践应用。通过Aspen EDR软件的教学示范,激发学生学习积极性和主动性,提升学生运用理论知识分析和解决复杂化学工程问题的能力,强化专业软件应用能力。

具有泡沫金属流场的燃料电池研究进展

泡沫金属是一种具有高孔隙率、高电导率、良好传热性和重量较轻等优点的新型多功能材料,在质子交换膜燃料电池(PEMFC)中嵌入泡沫金属作为流场的应用受到越来越多的关注。重点综述PEMFC流场的研究进展,探讨泡沫金属结构参数、流场设计和环境因素等对功率密度、气体分布、压降和水热管理等性能的影响。进一步讨论泡沫金属流场在PEMFC应用中所面临的腐蚀和水淹问题,以及具备耐腐蚀涂层泡沫金属的研究进展,为PEMFC泡沫金属流场的发展和优化提供有益的启示,以期推进泡沫金属在PEMFC中的应用。

基于HTRI的环己烷换热器的设计与优化

环己烷换热器是精制提纯环己烷的重要设备之一,也是合成环己酮装置的重要组成部分,为环己酮的合成提供了原材料的保障。文章基于HTRI的设计和校核模型对环己烷换热器进行设计与优化,对换热器的主要优化参数进行分析,实现对换热器的更好设计与优化。结果表明:基于HTRI进行优化设计,能够根据工艺要求设计提出多种设计方案,更有利于结合实际情况对环己烷换热器进行优化设计。

双层动车复合式冷却系统散热与噪声控制的优化研究

高速双层动车由于其内部空间紧凑以及元件的高功率化,冷却系统存在整体散热性能较差、噪声污染严重的问题。为此,通过冷却系统空气流场的数值模拟与试验研究,对其散热性能和噪声控制进行了优化。参照常用的冷却系统空气流道结构,基于双层动车复合式冷却系统的技术参数要求,对其尺寸进行了初步设计计算。分别采用多孔介质模型和多参考系(MRF)对复合式冷却系统换热器的芯体结构与旋风过滤器进行简化,并对其空气侧流场进行数值模拟。研究结果表明:风机入口处存在局部涡流,导致流体进入通风机的角度混乱,影响风机有效做功,在工作环境下系统风量(2.96 m^(3)/s)远小于设计值(3.35 m^(3)/s);同时局部涡流产生较大的气动噪声。此外,换热器入口的风速分布不均匀,导致系统冷却能力不足。针对上述问题,对空气流道结构进行了优化。调整了进、出口消声器的3个流道的流通面积,并在过渡段设置“喇叭型”导流结构来改善换热器进口处风速的均匀性;在冷却系统进、出口增加弧线型消声器能进一步降低噪声。结果表明:空气流道结构优化后水侧散热功率从33.18 kW增加到41.55 kW,油侧散热功率从157.82 kW增加到173.82 kW,系统加权平均噪声值从74.95 dB(A)降低到72.21 dB(A)。本研究可为类似工程项目冷却系统的优化设计提供参考,有助于改善乘坐体验和车辆运行的经济性。

多层套管式换热器的传热过程分析计算

在传统套管式换热器的基础上,为了增加换热面积、扩大流量和强化传热,提出一种新型结构的多层套管式换热器,且对其结构、原理和特点进行概述;其次对这种换热器的传热过程进行分析简化,建立物理模型,确定传热过程的关系式;结合工程实际应用,选择冷热流体、结构参数和运行工况进行液-液和气-液换热计算,确定换热器的基本结构和应用场合。最后通过正交试验的方法,对套管表面加装直肋和螺旋翅片进一步结构优化,得到最佳的翅片的厚度、高度和间距,同时比较了在最优结构参数下换热器与传统管壳式换热器的传热特性,可供工程应用提供参考。

钻井液与含水合物地层热流交换模拟实验系统设计

在冻土和海洋的钻井过程中,钻井液的热流作用会扰动地层中原本稳定存在的水合物,导致水合物分解,造成地层力学性质劣化,进而引发井壁坍塌失稳。为保障钻井安全,需要针对环空内钻井液与含水合物地层之间的直接相互作用开展室内模拟研究,进而摸清水合物分解规律,揭示钻井液与含水合物地层的热流交换机理。然而,已有研究中尚未见到仅考虑钻井液与含水合物地层热流交换作用的模拟实验系统。为此,本文设计了一种仅模拟上述作用的实验系统,并使用ANSYS-workbench进行了强度校核,同时提供了对应的实验方法,为揭示钻井液与含水合物地层的热流交换机理提供实验基础。

固体蓄热电锅炉对流管束优化设计研究

针对现有固体蓄热电锅炉换热效率较低、锅炉房占地面积大的不足,主要对新型固体蓄热电锅炉的对流管束部分进行优化,将对流管束蓄热体进行系统分析。考虑资金的时间价值,从技术经济动态角度进行分析,将系统的费用通过费用现值法折现至初期,以系统寿命期内的成本折现值最小为目标,以对流管束物理结构与热量守恒为约束构建数学模型,对该模型提出求解方法以及算法的程序说明。最终通过优化固体蓄热电锅炉的对流管束直径、管间距和长度这三个自变量,在满足采暖热负荷的情况下,使寿命周期内的成本折现值达到最小。

布雷顿循环冷端空冷换热器设计与变工况运行特性分析

作为布雷顿循环系统中的重要冷端部件,气体冷却器的性能对循环系统结构紧凑性和运行高效性有重要影响。分析了一种新型横流印刷电路板式换热器(printed circuit heat exchanger,PCHE)—板翅混合式气体冷却器的工作性能及影响因素,对该种换热器建立了一个数值计算模型,并编写MATLAB程序验证其可靠性;基于此,对该类冷却器进行了设计,其功率密度均在1 MW/m^(3)以上,属于紧凑型换热器;其次进行了变工况性能分析,给出了冷却器的压降和换热性能随循环工质和冷却空气进口状态的变化规律,并比较了布雷顿循环工质为超临界二氧化碳、氮气、空气时冷却器的换热特性和压降特性,结果表明,冷、热流体流量的改变对换热特性的影响最明显。研究结果对布雷顿循环空冷换热器的设计与运行具有参考意义。

一种热交换器管束用滚轮装置设计

为减少热交换器管束抽装时的阻力,避免损坏折流板和支持板,在直径较大、管束较重或管束较长的U形管式、浮头式热交换器中宜使用滚轮装置。提出了一种热交换器管束用滚轮装置结构,介绍了其设计计算步骤,并列举了一些常用滚轮规格尺寸,对热交换器设计具有一定参考意义。