Philippine E-Journals

Assessing the Sensitivity of wastewater Reuse Networks to Noisy Loads Using Possibility Theory

Raymond R. Tan

Discipline: Engineering

 

Abstract:

For many water-intensive industrial washing operations, wastewater reuse networks (WWRNs) are effective means of simultaneously minimizing both water utility consumption and process effluent generation. A dual process integration approach based on pinch technology for targeting and mathematical programming for WWRN synthesis is often employed. The success of the WWRN design is highly sensitive to the availability of reliable process data. The assumptions employed in the network design process, however, are typically deterministic, whereas actual operating conditions may involve varying mass loads. Under such conditions the maximum tolerable concentrations of some process streams may be exceeded, leading to product quality problems. This work demonstrates the use of possibility theory in assessing the vulnerability of WWRNs to uncertain load conditions.