An extended evolutionary design method for the optimization of hydrogen networks with pressure constraint

Abstract

In this work, the evolutionary method is extended to the work utility consumption and the capital cost of compressors incorporated with fresh hydrogen consumption in the optimization of hydrogen networks. The total cost matrix (TC matrix) is constructed with the cost of each possible match calculated. Further, the minimum total cost rule is proposed to compare different sources that can match the same sink. Based on this, the potential match matrix (P matrix) and the optimal match matrix (O matrix) can be determined sequentially. The fresh hydrogen, work utility consumption, total cost, and corresponding hydrogen distribution network can be obtained from the O matrix. The hydrogen network of a real refinery is studied to demonstrate the application of the extended evolutionary method. The results show that total cost determined by the extended method is 3.32 % less than that identified by the original evolutionary method, and the same as that calculated by the mathematical programming method.