This article presents a method for the mathematical optimization of the design of heat exchangers including fouling rate modeling for the tube‐side. The description of the fouling rate in crude preheat trains of petroleum distillation units is commonly based on threshold models (Ebert‐Panchal model and its variants). Our formulation of the design problem employs a mixed‐integer linear programing approach; therefore the solution is the global optimum and common nonconvergence drawbacks of mixed‐integer nonlinear programming models are totally avoided. Three different examples are employed to compare the proposed approach with an optimization procedure using fixed fouling resistances. The results indicate that in two problems was possible to obtain design solutions associated to smaller heat exchangers. Additionally, three case studies are also explored to discuss how fouling is related to crude types, pressure drop manipulation, and energy integration. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 2089–2102, 2018

中文翻译：

---

使用阈值结垢模型进行热交换器设计的全局最优线性方法

本文介绍了一种用于换热器设计数学优化的方法，包括管侧污垢率建模。石油蒸馏装置的原油预热机组中的结垢率通常基于阈值模型（Ebert-Panchal模型及其变体）进行描述。我们对设计问题的表述采用了混合整数线性编程方法。因此，解决方案是全局最优的，并且完全避免了混合整数非线性规划模型的常见不收敛缺点。使用三个不同的示例将建议的方法与使用固定污垢阻力的优化过程进行比较。结果表明，有两个问题可能会获得与较小的热交换器相关的设计解决方案。此外，还探讨了三个案例研究，以探讨结垢与原油类型，压降操纵和能量整合之间的关系。©2018美国化学工程师学会AIChE J，64：2089–2102，2018