Euler’s network theorem

Node/Vertice (V)

Arc / Lines (L)

V+R–L=1
Loop / Region (R)
3+1–3=1

1+0–0=1
1 + 1 – 1 = 1(add a line)
2 + 0 – 1 = 1(add a node)
 Euler’s network theorem applied to heat
exchanger networks
A more general formulation of Formulation adapted for heat
Euler's theorem :
exchanger networks:
V+R–L=S
S = subgraphs/networks U=N+L-S
U = number of units, i.e. heat
exchangers and heaters and coolers
L = heat load loops
N = Number of streams and utilities

Heat exchangers connected so that the heat

-x +x loads of the units can be adjusted without
affecting the target temperatures comprise a
heat load loop.
+x -x
Upper bound for the number of units needed for a
maximum heat recovery (MER) network

Umin, mer ≤ (N-1)above pinch +

U=N+L-S
(N-1)below pinch U = number of units,
L = heat load loops
150 kW
N = Number of
275 kW N=4 streams and utilities
Umin ≤ 4 - 1 = 3 S = Sub networks
150 kW
150 kW
275 kW

275 kW
 300°C m·cp = 1.5 kW/K 100°C
H1
200°C m·cp = 5.0 kW/K 100°C
H2
250°C m·cp = 4.0 kW/K 50°C

C1

• ΔTmin = 20°C
• Pinch: 190°C
• Minimum hot utility: 130 kW
• Minimum cold utility: 130 kW
• Available 1 hot and 1 cold utility
 Pinch

300°C 200°C 186.7°C 100°C

H1
m·cp = 1.5
130 kW

200°C 100°C
H2
m·cp = 5.0

250°C 217.5°C 180°C 55°C 50°C

C1
m·cp = 4.0
130 kW 150 kW 500 kW 20 kW

U=3–1=2 U=4–1=3
 300°C 190°C 186.7°C 100°C
H1
m·cp = 1.5
130 kW

200°C 100°C
H2
m·cp = 5.0

250°C 217.5°C 176.3°C 51.3°C 50°C

C1
m·cp = 4.0
130 kW 165 kW 500 kW 5 kW

+15 kW U=5–1=4 -15 kW

 300°C 186.7°C 186.7°C 100°C
H1
m·cp = 1.5
130 kW

200°C 100°C
H2
m·cp = 5.0

250°C 217.5°C 175°C 50°C 50°C

C1
m·cp = 4.0
130 kW 170 kW 500 kW 0 kW

+20 kW U=5–1=4 -20 kW

 300°C 195°C 100°C
H1
m·cp = 1.5
142.5 kW

200°C 100°C
H2
m·cp = 5.0

250°C 214.4°C 175°C 50°C

C1
m·cp = 4.0
142.5 kW 157.5 kW 500 kW 20 kW