Process integration in a dairy factory considering thermal energy storages - a comparison of two different approaches

In this paper, heat integration for a dairy factory is performed using two different approaches with storage integration capabilities. The use-case consists of 36 process streams which can be considered large-scale. Stream data is available for a period of three weeks with high temporal resolution. Even though a slightly different data basis is needed, both approaches yield comparable results which are analyzed in this paper. The first approach considered in this work is the software tool SOCO which is based on pinch-analysis for time-dependent process streams. It incorporates a flowsheet simulation environment for detailed storage simulation. The second approach is based on mathematical programming and cost-driven superstructure optimization using simple storage models. The best results obtained using both approaches are compared regarding heat exchanger networks, storage integration and economic data. Also, potential synergies between the two approaches are identified that could further improve solutions.