Multi-objective optimization of energy distribution in steel enterprises considering both exergy efficiency and energy cost

In integrated steel works, the core objective of system energy conservation techniques is to improve energy utilization and reduce energy costs. Currently, the research on energy distribution optimization of steel enter-prises considers only the energy cost of the system and ignores the energy utilization efficiency. However, energy utilization efficiency and energy cost are equally important indicators. Therefore, in this study, a multi-objective optimization model for energy systems was established, which considered minimizing energy cost of the system and maximizing exergy efficiency as the objective functions. The case results indicate that after the optimization aiming at the minimum energy cost (Scheme A) and the maximum exergy efficiency (Scheme B), the energy cost of the two schemes reduced by 24.96% and 9.60%, respectively, and the exergy efficiency increased by 1.67% and 8.65%, respectively. Although Scheme A can significantly reduce the system energy cost, the increase of exergy efficiency is limited. Scheme B is opposite to Scheme A. However, after adopting multi-objective opti-mization, compared with previous optimization strategies, the energy cost reduced by 22.81%, the exergy ef-ficiency increased by 7.71%, and the energy cost and exergy efficiency of the system were found to be in a better state.

Automated summary

The core objective of system energy conservation techniques in integrated steel works is to improve energy utilization and reduce energy costs. This study established a multi-objective optimization model for energy systems, aiming to minimize the energy cost and maximize the exergy efficiency. The results showed that the energy cost reduced by 22.81% and the exergy efficiency increased by 7.71% after the multi-objective optimization.