Process integration

The paper addresses the quality of energy conversion in the process industry, and the role of relevant techniques, like process integration, pinch technology and cogeneration in a more general strategy aiming not at the local benefits only, but also at an universal improvement in the efficiency of natural energy resources usage. The starting point for the strategy is the possibility to produce work at theoretically 100% marginal efficiency in integrated systems. Focusing on fundamental thermodynamic aspects like the Second Law analysis and work production efficiency, the article should provide basis for a rational and systematic approach to the large scale planning of energy systems