Optimization of Heat Exchanger Networks by Means of Evolution Strategies

This paper describes the adaptation of Evolution Strategies (ESs) for simulation based heat exchanger network synthesis. Due to space limitations the presentation is restricted to a brief overview of the application domain, the problems and pitfalls we encountered during the project and hints to solutions. Some of these problems are of general relevance for the application of Evolutionary Algorithms in cases where the objective function is based on a simulation model and are therefore discussed in more detail. The emphasis lies on the design of a suitable genetic representation.