ABSTRACT
To synthesize a resource conservation network (RCN) using pinch analysis technique, a two-step approach that consists of targeting and design is normally adopted. In the last few chapters, we have seen how minimum ¤owrate targets may be determined ahead of detailed design, for various direct reuse/recycle and material regeneration networks. For simple cases (e.g., Examples 3.2 and 4.1), we might determine the material recovery scheme based on insights from the targeting stage. However, for more complicated cases, a systematic design procedure is needed to synthesize an RCN that achieves the ¤owrate targets. In this chapter, a well-established technique called the nearest neighbor algorithm (NNA) is introduced for network synthesis. Besides, two evolution techniques are also introduced to simplify the preliminary RCN.
