This course aims at teaching the students techniques for the optimal design and synthesis of energy plants, with the aim of rational utilization of energy and economic resources. This is particularly important in energy intensive industrial plants as power plants, mechanical industries, food industries, pulp and paper, chemical industries, etc. Techniques focused on the thermodynamic, energetic and economic evaluation of these plants will be presented. The principles and methodologies for the optimal design and operation of plants and components will be analyzed in detail. In addition, the techniques for thermoeconomic analysis and process integration, finalized to the optimal use of natural resources (energy, water, etc.) as well as the minimization of investment and operation costs will be presented.
The course is composed by lessons, where the theoretical aspects are analysed and various applications to real systems.

At the end of this course, students are expected to know the techniques for design, analysis and optimization of thermal systems and their components: thermoeconomic analysis, single and multi-objective optimization, design improvement, thermal diagnosis, entropy generation minimization.

Thermodynamics and heat transfer.