In the process of optimizing the mass exchange network by random walk algorithm with compulsive evolution, some individuals are in a long-term disadvantaged state in the competition and the individual structure is highly similar. RWCE algorithm with individual elimination is proposed to optimize the mass exchange network. That is, in a certain period, through the real-time monitoring of the optimal state of the individuals in the population, the network structure of the individual is first standardized, so as to identify the similar quality exchangers in the structure, and then evaluate the structural similarity of the individual according to its number. Divide the individuals in the population into several groups, and use the total annual cost as an indicator to evaluate the individual optimization performance, and eliminate the disadvantaged and similar individuals in the population. Strengthen the information exchange of individuals between populations, improve individual optimization vitality and population diversity, and effectively enhance the global search ability of the algorithm to optimize the mass exchange network. Applying this method to two examples of mass exchange networks, the optimization results are better than the best results in the literature, indicating that the method can change the evolution direction of the structure, stimulate the differential evolution of individuals between populations and maintain the optimization vitality of individuals, and effectively improve the global optimization performance of the algorithm.

An extended node unstructured model is established, and an additional cold and hot stream is set up to match with the conventional hot and cold stream to determine the generation of cold and hot internal utilities, so as to realize independent matching of utilities at any position on the cold and hot flow unit and improve the degree of freedom of the model. A forced evolution random walk algorithm was introduced to optimize three practical engineering examples 9SP, 10SP and 15SP, which saved 5 600＄·a^-1, 848＄·a^-1 and 4 455＄·a^-1, respectively, compared with the optimal literature. It shows that application of the extended model obtains more economical heat exchange network designs, and has a stronger universality as well.