Dealing with uncertainty is one of practical issues in design and operation of heat exchanger networks (HENs)

arising the problem of flexible HEN synthesis. This paper addresses the state-of-the-art methods for flexible HEN synthesis based on sensitivity analysis

resilience analysis

flexibility analysis and multiperiod synthesis techniques as well. Each of these methods is summarized by presenting their general procedures and recent developments on modeling

solving strategies and applications. Some current topics related to flexible process synthesis have been briefly presented to provide several future research possibilities.