4 ׀ CONCLUSIONS
Appropriate software packages will continue to be relevant in process
optimization and in the pinch analysis of complex processes because of
the mathematical and computing requirements involved. It has been shown
in this study that HINT software is a reliable package for HENs
optimization since it gives a result that is within 1% of that of NLP
technique for minimum area targeting in the case study investigated. For
the case of CDU I of KRPC Ltd, the pinch analysis showed that eight
coolers and two heaters are required as utilities for the energy balance
and heat conservation in the CDU unit. In this case, the
∆Tmin that gives the minimum total annual cost was found
to be 2.95K and the corresponding total annualized cost was $4.88
million/yr. However, further studies are suggested such as the
application of the HINT in the HENs design by pinch technique for other
process units of the plant refinery, and its comparison with multi
objective optimization approach.