Synthesis of inter-plant water networks involving batch and continuous processes

This work presents a mathematical technique for the synthesis of inter-plant water networks, where some of the plants involve batch and continuous processes. To integrate both kinds of process units, a two-phase approach is proposed. First, all batch units are treated as operating in continuous mode, and the inter-plant water network is synthesized for minimum fresh water consumption. Policy of water storage for the batch units is then determined, on which they can behave as continuous units. The objective of the second phase is to minimize the capacity of storage tanks subject to the determined water flow rates. An example is solved to illustrate the proposed approach.