ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a mathematical optimization model for interplant water network (IPWN) synthesis, with process units operating in mixed continuous and batch modes. The currently developed model consists of a two-stage approach, and is dedicated to a special case where there are more continuous units than batch units. In the first stage, all batch units are treated as continuous units by using auxiliary water storage tanks, and a continuously operated IPWN is synthesized to minimize the freshwater consumption. Subject to the determined IPWN flowrates, the water storage policy for the batch units is determined in the second stage to minimize the total storage capacity. Alternatively, the formulations of both stages can be combined and solved simultaneously to minimize the IPWN cost. Two modified literature examples are used to illustrate the proposed approach.
