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pinch-analyzer skill

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This skill applies pinch technology to optimize heat integration and customize energy targets, reducing utility use and improving factory feasibility.

npx playbooks add skill a5c-ai/babysitter --skill pinch-analyzer

Review the files below or copy the command above to add this skill to your agents.

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SKILL.md

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---
name: pinch-analyzer
description: Heat integration analysis skill using pinch technology for energy targeting and heat exchanger network design
allowed-tools:
  - Read
  - Write
  - Glob
  - Grep
  - Edit
  - Bash
metadata:
  specialization: chemical-engineering
  domain: science
  category: Process Simulation
  skill-id: CE-SK-004
---

# Pinch Analyzer Skill

## Purpose

The Pinch Analyzer Skill applies pinch technology for heat integration, energy targeting, and heat exchanger network synthesis to minimize utility consumption.

## Capabilities

- Stream data extraction and processing
- Composite curve generation
- Grand composite curve analysis
- Pinch point determination
- Heat exchanger network synthesis
- Area targeting and cost optimization
- Utility system integration
- Multiple utilities optimization

## Usage Guidelines

### When to Use
- Optimizing process heat integration
- Designing heat exchanger networks
- Targeting utility requirements
- Evaluating retrofit opportunities

### Prerequisites
- Process simulation converged
- Stream data extracted
- Utility specifications defined
- Cost data available

### Best Practices
- Use appropriate minimum approach temperature
- Consider practical constraints
- Evaluate multiple design alternatives
- Account for operability

## Process Integration

This skill integrates with:
- Heat Integration Analysis
- Energy Efficiency Optimization
- Process Flow Diagram Development

## Configuration

```yaml
pinch-analyzer:
  delta-t-min: 10  # degrees
  utilities:
    - steam
    - cooling-water
    - refrigeration
  optimization-objectives:
    - energy
    - capital
    - total-annual-cost
```

## Output Artifacts

- Composite curves
- Grand composite curves
- HEN designs
- Energy targets
- Cost estimates

Overview

This skill applies pinch technology to perform heat integration analysis, establish energy targets, and generate heat exchanger network (HEN) designs that reduce utility consumption and total annual cost. It produces composite and grand composite curves and supports multi-utility optimization for retrofit and greenfield projects. Outputs include energy targets, HEN layouts, and cost estimates to guide engineering decisions.

How this skill works

The skill ingests converged process stream data and utility specifications, then calculates hot and cold composite curves using a user-specified minimum approach temperature. It identifies the pinch point and grand composite curve to set minimum utility targets, and uses synthesis heuristics and optimization objectives (energy, capital, or TAC) to propose HEN designs and area targets. Results include stream matches, exchanger area estimates, and utility integration suggestions.

When to use it

During process design to minimize steam and cooling demand
When developing or evaluating heat exchanger network retrofit options
To set realistic energy and utility targets before detailed engineering
When comparing design alternatives under capital and operating cost trade-offs
To integrate multiple utilities (steam, cooling water, refrigeration) in energy planning

Best practices

Start with converged process simulation and validated stream data
Choose an appropriate minimum approach temperature based on operability
Include practical constraints such as minimum exchanger area and routing
Evaluate multiple delta-T and utility cost scenarios to find robust solutions
Use cost data for both capital and operating expenses to optimize total annual cost

Example use cases

Establishing utility targets and steam savings for a chemical plant retrofit
Synthesizing a HEN for a new process to minimize cooling-water and steam consumption
Comparing TAC results for different minimum approach temperatures
Sizing heat exchanger areas and estimating capital costs for budgeting
Integrating refrigeration and cooling systems when multiple temperature levels are present

FAQ

What input data does this skill require?

It requires converged process stream data (temperatures, heat duties, flowrates), utility specifications, and cost data for capital and utilities.

How is the minimum approach temperature chosen?

Select a value that balances heat recovery with practical exchanger size and operability; evaluate several values to identify trade-offs.