Graph reduction of complex energy-integrated networks: Process systems applications

We illustrate the application of a graph reduction method developed recently to analyze complex energy-integrated process networks. The method uses information on the energy flow structure of the network and the orders of magnitude of the different energy flows to generate, automatically, information on the time scales where the process units evolve, canonical forms of the reduced models in each time scale, and controlled variables and potential manipulated inputs available in each time scale. Representative examples of reactor-heat exchanger and distillation column networks are considered to illustrate the method and develop insights on effective control strategies for these processes.