Bottleneck-identification methodology and debottlenecking strategy for heat exchanger network with disturbance

•Method is proposed for bottleneck identification and debottlenecking of heat exchanger network with disturbance.•Disturbance Response Schemes (DRSs) are enumerated and the load-shift rule is clarified.•Relations among area demand, area increment, total annual cost, and fluctuation are deduced.•Diagrams are constructed to target the optimal DRS, bottlenecks, and debottleneck strategy.•The proposed method is efficient and can guide the design and retrofit of chemical processes.