An integrated pinch analysis framework for low carbon industrial site planning

Abstract

Reduction of CO2 emissions from energy generation and utilization has received growing attention in recent years due to the potential negative environmental impacts arising from CO2 emissions, and the need to address the global sustainability challenges. Many of the previous published papers have only focussed on application of the various Pinch Analysis methods in isolation. Furthermore, with the rapid advancement in Pinch Technology, industries and practitioners face the challenge of keeping up-to-date with the Pinch Technology advancement, let alone implement them in industries. There is the need to develop a guide for industrial site planners to use and benefit from the suite of Pinch Analysis tools in an integrated manner towards systematically planning a low carbon emission site. The main objective of this study is to establish a systematic framework for low carbon industrial site planning, by using an integrated set of Pinch Analysis techniques. The framework consists of five main stages. The first stage is the data collection of resources. Second stage is the analysis of Total Site Heat Integration, followed by Stage 3 analysis of cogeneration potential. Stage 4 is the Power Pinch Analysis and finally Stage 5 is the Carbon Pinch Analysis. The new framework is demonstrated by using an illustrative case study, and has contributed significantly in addressing low carbon emission for industrial site, resulting an overall reduction about 64.7% of steam, 74.28% of power, and 99.8% of carbon emission. In summary, this new framework for low carbon industrial site planning is available for designers, planners or industrial site owner to optimise integrated energy and carbon emission for an industrial site.