Pinch analysis incorporated in Aspen energy analyzer software was
used in this study in the design, optimization and identification of areas
requiring improvement in the heat exchanger networks of naphtha
hydrotreating units of a Kaduna Refinery naphtha hydrotreating unit
(NHU) with the aim of minimizing total cost. The result obtained was
an optimal total cost (OTC) of $263.1/s from the initial target cost
(ITC) of $298.8/s. The target heating and cooling were observed to be
1.395 x107kcal/h and 1.440 x107kcal/h respectively; while the design
heating and cooling were 1.228x107 kcal/h and 1.273x107 kcal/h
respectively. The minimum number of heat exchanger units was found
to be 23 at the optimum minimum temperature approach of 15 oC.
Aspen Energy Analyzer was able to predict the OTC and it is capable
of breaking any loop present as well as possible areas requiring
process integration in Heat Exchanger Networks (HENs) for an
optimal design.