Synthesis of Polygeneration Network Involving Integrated Renewable Energy Supply Chain and Interplant Heat and Mass Exchange Networks with Regeneration

Abstract This paper presents a methodology for integrating a polygeneration network with an integrated renewable energy supply chain network and an interplant heat and mass exchange network using a centralized hub layout approach. The method involves developing a three-layered superstructure. The first layer consists of bio-based renewable energy sources connected to the second layer through various transport modes. The second layer, a centralized polygeneration hub, includes combined heat and power systems and resource subnetworks, featuring a boiler for generating high-pressure steam, turbines for power generation, process and utility heat exchangers, and a stripping column for regenerating solutes from mass separating agents. The third layer, connected to the second layer via pipelines, comprises co-located process plants where energy and resource demands are met through heat and mass exchanger network synthesis. The integrated superstructure, represented as a mixed-integer non-linear programming model, is applied to a hypothetical case study involving wood pulp, corn stover, and glycerine as renewable energy sources. It includes two turbines for generating a specified amount of power, hot and cold streams to be cooled and heated in three co-located plants, and gaseous streams from which ammonia is absorbed using mass separating agents in one of the plants. The solution, dominated by the cost of the supply chain, involves seven process heat exchangers (three of which are used for interplant heat exchange), six utility exchangers, and seven mass exchangers, including one stripping column. When the case study is compared to its equivalent non-integrated scenario, the proposed integrated model shows a 79% reduction in total annual cost for a case where the cost of fossil energy is $0.1/kg. Additionally, in terms of environmental impact, it releases 58% less carbon. The results demonstrate the benefits of adopting a centralized design approach using a polygeneration hub integrated with multiple resource networks.