The Grand Composite Curve

Justification of Utilities Selection

Grand Composite Curve

450

400

350

300
Temperature, oC

Grand Composite Curve

250
Cooling Water
200
LP Steam
150 MP Steam

100 Glycol

50

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
H, kW

Figure 1: Grand Composite Curve of the Heat Exchanger Network

A grand composite curve (GCC) is shown in figure 1. GCC is plotted from the net
heat flow against the shifted temperature, and it is also known as residual heat
curve. Unlike the composite curve, a grand composite curve indicates the energy
requirement at different temperature levels through utilities. From figure 1, it is
observed that hot utilities are not needed in this plant. The shaded area in the
graph represent “heat pocket”. Heat pocket is heat transfer in the process is
sufficient and is not counted for utilities.

In general, Utilities targeting can be done with either at constant temperature or

variable temperature utilities. In this report, constant temperature utilities
targeting is used. Constant temperature utilities targeting assume that the heat
capacity remains constant and is less complex.

With different temperature levels, different cooling utilities would be required

due to their limited usage and to reduce the operating cost. Multiple utilities
helps to decrease the operating cost in compensation of a higher capital cost.
Generally, for cooling utilities, it is desirable to go for the highest temperature
possible to reduce the operating cost. Thus, a balance must be achieved
between the operating cost and the capital cost by doing an economic analysis.
(Nptel, n.d.). On figure 1, different utilities that is available for different
temperature is plotted. Below shows the advantages and disadvantages for
different types of cooling utilities.
Cooling Utilities
Above 120oC
Types Advantages Disadvantages
Steam - Could be used to generate - Increases the
(Typical Steam Low pressure, Medium capital cost due to
temperature and pressure, or High pressure increase
pressure) (Chemical steam
Engineering Design, - Non-toxic, non-flammable
2013) (David.C, Joshua.L, Brett.S,
- Low pressure Tom.A, 2016)
(LP) (120oC, - Visible if leakage occurs
1.06bar) (David.C, Joshua.L, Brett.S,
- Medium pressure Tom.A, 2016)
(MP) (212oC, - Could be used to decrease
20bar) operating cost

40-120oC

Types Advantages Disadvantages

Cooling water - Cheap and is easy to
obtained
- Has a wide temperature
range
- Safe to use
- Noise free operation
- Has high heat capacity for
more heat transfer
- Can be costly to
build cooling towers
- Occurrence of algae
growth (Amir. S,
2013)

Below 40oC

Types Advantages Disadvantages

Chilled water - The most economical - Can cause scaling
cooling utilities for (Accumulation of
temperature below lowest deposits on metals)
temperature a cooling (GLBT networks,
water can cools 2015)
economically - Scaling can cause
- Cools down up to 10oC corrosion and
- Safe to use decreases system
efficiency (GLBT
networks, 2015)
- Low efficiency in
humid
environments
(GLBT networks,
2015)
 Salt Brine - Can cools down up to -40oC - Corrosive (Brine-
- Calcium Chloride at 23.3% NaCl or CaCl2 up Chiller, n.d.)
or Sodium to -40oC (Brine Chiler, n.d.)
Chloride) - Inexpensive compared to
other similar refrigerant
(Brine-Chiller, n.d.)

Glycol (JCY, 2016) - Can be easily modified to - More expensive

suit different parameters by than water
mixing with water
- Able to cool down up to
-48oC with 60/40 mixture
- Has a better heat transfer
rate than water
- Environmental friendly
- Can be used even if you do
not want to cool down
below freezing temperature
of water.
- Discourage algae growth
- Non-corrosive

From 400oC to 120oC, MP, and LP steam is used to cool down the stream. MP
steam generated could be used to generate LP steam which is needed for the
boiler system or to generate electricity which could then be used for the
absorption column and other utilities. For temperature 120o to 40oC, cooling
water is used. Cooling water is the cheapest among all the utilities and thus, its
usage is maximised in order to decrease the operating cost. As for temperature
from 40oC to 12.5oC, Glycol is used. Compared to the other cooling utilities such
as chilled water or salt brine, Glycol has much more advantages overall. Its non-
corrosivity property is the determining factor as it could lessen the maintenance
needed and improve the heat transfer rate. It also do not have problem with
scaling like for chilled water. Glycol can also be used to cool down temperature
above the freezing temperature of water. It also do not promotes algae growth.

References:
Amir. S (2013) Micro-organism of Cooling Tower Problems and How to Manage
Them [online] Available at: http://insikapub.com/Vol-01/No-
04/02IJBAS%281%29%284%29.pdf [Accessed 14 April, 2018]

Brine Chiller (n.d.) Brine Chillers Explanation [online] Available at:

http://www.brinechiller.com/brine-definition/ [Accessed 14 April, 2018]

Brine-Chiller (n.d.) What is Brine Chiller? [online] Available at:

http://www.brine-chiller.com/What-is-Brine-Chiller.html [Accessed 14 April,
2018]

Chemical Engineering Design (2013) Utilities and Energy Efficient Design

[online] Available at:
https://booksite.elsevier.com/samplechapters/9780080966595/Chapter_3.pdf
[Accessed 14 April, 2018]

GLBT Networks (2015) Chilled Water Cooling Systems: A Few Advantages and
Disadvantages to Keep in Mind [online] Available at:
http://glbtnetworks.com/2015/02/18/chilled-water-cooling-systems-a-few-
advantages-and-disadvantages-to-keep-in-mind/ [Accessed 14 April, 2018]

JCY.com (2016) What is Glycol? How is it Used in A Chiller? [online] Available at:
http://www.jcyounger.com/glycol-chiller/ [Accessed 14 April, 2018]

Nptel.com, (n.d) Grand Composite Curve). [online] Available at:

http://nptel.ac.in/courses/103107094/module4/lecture3/lecture3.pdf [Accessed
14 April, 2018]