This paper introduces a systematic approach for water integration in industrial facilities based on properties. New property operators and mixing rules (e.g., for odor and toxicity) are proposed to enable the tracking of stream characteristics and the inclusion in an optimization model. Additionally, the dependence of the properties on temperature is accounted for. The thermal effects upon properties are also considered in the proposed water-network model by including cooling and heating. The proposed model for water integration is based on a recycle scheme that includes regeneration processes to improve the stream properties. Furthermore, temperature-adjusting property interceptors are included in the superstructure of the regeneration network to satisfy the temperature constraints in the sinks and also to improve temperature-dependent properties. The applicability of the proposed approach is shown through several case studies, where methodology comparison is made with respect to the ones previously reported in the literature.

This article proposes a multiobjective optimization model for the design of a macroscopic water system of a Mexican city that solves simultaneously the planning and scheduling of water storage and distribution tasks. The model, which considers rainwater harvesting and reclaimed water reusing as alternative water sources, maximizes the revenues from water sales and minimizes simultaneously the water consumption and land use. A case study based on the city of Morelia in Mexico was solved. It was found that the use of alternative water sources (such as harvested rainwater) along with an appropriate planning and scheduling of storage and distribution tasks have the potential to reduce the pressure over natural reservoirs significantly. Our approach considers simultaneously economic and environmental concerns, thereby contributing to the implementation of more sustainable alternatives in urban water distribution. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 2428–2446, 2015

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This article proposes a multiobjective optimization strategy based on a fuzzy formulation for the sustainable design and planning of water supply chains in urban areas that considers simultaneously economic and environmental objectives. Harvested rainwater and reclaimed water are considered as alternative sources to reduce freshwater consumption while maximizing water revenues and minimizing land usage. As opposed to other models that attempt to minimize water consumption, this work seeks to minimize the water stress index, which quantifies the impact of freshwater consumption with respect to the specific location where the withdrawals take place. We illustrate the capabilities of this approach through its application to a real case study based on the city of Morelia in Mexico, in which we show that the use of alternative water sources along with an appropriate water distribution plan can reduce the impact over natural reservoirs.