A graphical method for integrating work exchange network

Based on the characteristics of work exchanger, a graphical integration method is developed for work exchange network. In this method, the composite curves of work sinks and work sources are plotted in the lnP versus W diagram. Two linearly approximated sink auxiliary lines are proposed to assist identifying the feasible match, one is ΔPmin greater than the sink composite curve; the other is ΔPmin less than the sink composite curve. Five matching rules are proposed for identifying the feasible match between the work sink and work source. Based on this, the maximum energy recovery, the minimum work utility and corresponding matching network can be identified. Two cases are analyzed by the proposed method, and the results show that with this method, significant energy can be saved.