A. Introduction

The previous section introduced the Composite Curves and the Pinch principle. Graphical construction of the Composite Curves can be cumbersome, and the Pinch Principle, while of fundamental importance, does not in itself offer an explicit design procedure.

This section presents:

• an algorithm, related to the Composite Curves, for the calculation of energy targets and the location of the Pinch, called the "Problem Table" Linnhoff and Flower (1978)
• a network representation, which supports the Pinch Design Method, called the "Grid Diagram" of streams Linnhoff and Flower (1978)
• an explicit set of design rules, based on the Pinch Principle, called the "Pinch Design Method" Linnhoff and Hindmarsh (1983)

B. The Problem Table Algorithm