Global optimization of the design of horizontal shell and tube condensers

The literature about heat exchanger design optimization encompasses a large number of papers, but only a small fraction is dedicated to phase change systems. This article presents for the first time a linear design optimization approach for horizontal shell and tube condensers that guarantees global optimality. Area is minimized using an integer linear model. This model is obtained from a mathematical reformulation of the original nonlinear thermofluid dynamic equations and it is solved using integer linear programming (ILP). Because of the linear nature of the proposed model, the global optimum is always attained, without the need of using specialized global solvers, selection of good initial estimates or drawbacks related to convergence issues. Numerical results indicate that the proposed approach can present solutions with lower heat transfer areas than two design procedures presented in chemical process design textbooks.