Process Integration for Industrial Symbiosis: An Introduction

This paper presents process integration methodologies to support industrial ecology development and applications. By using these methodologies, industrial system can be opti'ized to ensure efficient utilization of energy, water and material resources while minimizing the negative impacts on the environment. They allow analysis and optimization process to be performed quite systematically and easily. The definitions, methodologies, application areas, and industrial experience of process integration are introduced and reviewed. A framework for industrial symbiosis development is proposed which incorporate with process integration. Water-using network synthesis problem, one branch of process integration, is discussed in detail. A hypothetical example is presented to illustrate the proposed methodology for water-using network synthesis.