Advanced Process Integration and Heat Recovery Network Optimization for Industrial Decarbonization

Since its inception, pinch analysis has become a widely adopted methodology for thermal energy integration and process optimization within industrial systems. Over the years, this research field has evolved from classical heat exchanger network synthesis toward advanced approaches involving total site heat integration, exergy-based methods, dynamic process analysis, and multi-objective optimization frameworks. Recently, there has been renewed interest in these techniques driven by the demands for industrial decarbonization, process electrification, and sustainable manufacturing. The transition towards low-carbon industrial systems requires the integration of electrified process heat, industrial heat pumps, thermal energy storage, renewable energy sources, hydrogen-based energy carriers, and multi-energy systems, creating new challenges for process integration methodologies. Additionally, advancements in computational techniques, digitalization, and data-driven optimization are opening new perspectives for designing and operating integrated industrial energy systems. Emerging approaches based on machine learning, digital twins, and predictive optimization are increasingly supporting the synthesis, operation, and retrofit of complex industrial energy networks.This Research Topic aims to provide a multidisciplinary platform for recent advances in methodologies, models, and industrial applications related to thermal energy integration and waste heat recovery in industrial systems.Special attention will be paid to innovative approaches for the synthesis, retrofit, and optimization of heat exchanger networks, including industrial heat pump and thermal energy storage integration, waste heat recovery technologies, and advanced optimization techniques for energy-intensive processes.Particular emphasis will be placed on emerging scientific and engineering challenges associated with industrial decarbonisation, including the integration of electrified process heat, renewable energy sources, hydrogen systems, flexible operation under variable energy supply conditions, and carbon-aware optimization frameworks.The Research Topic also seeks to explore the role of digitalization in process integration, including data-driven methods, machine-learning-assisted optimization, digital twins, predictive operation, and automated network synthesis.The collection seeks to promote contributions that combine methodological innovation with practical implementation, industrial validation, and techno-economic assessment. Another key objective is to foster dialogue between academia and industry to address emerging challenges and seize opportunities in sustainable process systems engineering.Overall, the initiative aims to support the development of more energy-efficient, flexible, and low-carbon industrial processes.This Research Topic welcomes original research articles, review papers, methodological developments, and industrial case studies related to process integration, thermal energy recovery, and industrial energy systems optimization.Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:- pinch analysis methodologies;- heat exchanger network design and retrofit;- total site heat integration;- industrial waste heat recovery;- integration of industrial heat pumps;- exergy-based analysis and optimization;- multi-objective and techno-economic optimization;- thermal energy storage integration;- digital and AI-assisted tools for process integration;- machine learning and digital twins for industrial energy systems;- mathematical programming and optimization techniques;- process systems engineering for industrial decarbonization;- process electrification and low-carbon industrial systems;- hydrogen integration and Power-to-X applications;- hybrid energy systems and low-carbon industrial processes;- applications in energy-intensive industrial sectors. Topic editors: Lorena Giordano, Roberto Carapellucci Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/81365/advanced-process-integration-and-heat-recovery-network-optimization-for-industrial-decarbonization