In this article, we extend a previously developed globally optimal
enumeration methodology for the synthesis of Heat Exchanger Networks to
the simultaneous synthesis of the network and the basic design of Heat
Exchangers. Our procedure guarantees global optimality, unlike previous
approaches, such as Pinch Technology, metaheuristics, or mathematical
programming that do not guarantee it and sometimes do not even guarantee
local optimality. The procedure is not iterative, and does not present
any convergence issues. To enumerate HEN structures, we use linear
methods and for the HEX design we use Set Trimming followed by sorting.
In addition, because some network structures are incompatible with
single shell exchangers, we use multiple shell exchangers in series. The
comparison of the results of the proposed approach with two solution
alternatives from the literature in two different problems indicates
that considerable cost reductions may be obtained.