Capability Matrix

This matrix maps the main user capabilities to the preferred public surface, typical outputs, dependency notes, and support status.

Capability	Preferred surface	Typical outputs	Dependencies	Status
Direct heat integration	PinchProblem.target(), problem.target.direct_heat_integration(...)	utility targets, pinch temperatures, recovery metrics, graphs	base	Stable
Indirect / Total Site targeting	problem.target.indirect_heat_integration(...)	Total Process / Total Site utility targets and graph families	base	Stable
Graphing and HTML export	problem.plot.*, problem.plot.export(...)	Plotly figures, graph catalog, HTML graph files	notebook or dashboard	Stable
File-backed workflows	PinchProblem and PinchWorkspace	solved results, summary frames, exports, bundle files	base; notebook for Excel	Stable
Schema-driven execution	pinch_analysis_service(...) with TargetInput	typed TargetOutput	base	Stable
Variable heat-capacity streams	StreamSchema or UtilitySchema nested segments/profile	parent-level targets and reports; explicit ordered segment diagnostics	base; synthesis extra for solver-backed HEN design	Advanced
Packaged learning assets	OpenPinch.resources and openpinch notebook	sample JSON cases and clean notebook sources	base; notebook to run notebooks	Stable
Heat Pump and refrigeration	problem.target.direct_heat_pump(...) and companions	HPR target fields, graph effects, cost fields for simulated cycles	notebook/dashboard for graphs	Advanced
Direct gas/vapour MVR	problem.add_component.process_mvr(...)	replacement streams, MVR stage results, changed target summaries	notebook/dashboard for graphs	Advanced
Exergy post-processing	problem.target.exergy(...)	exergy metrics and exergetic graph families	notebook/dashboard for graphs	Advanced
Cogeneration	problem.target.cogeneration(...)	turbine work, efficiency targets, stage context	base	Advanced
Heat exchanger network synthesis	problem.design.enhanced_synthesis_method(quality_tier=...)	ranked networks, selected network, manifest, grid diagrams	synthesis extra and solvers	Advanced
Community / region framing	zone vocabulary and hierarchy support	multiscale labels and aggregation structures	base	Experimental / partial
Lower-level analysis side packages	service modules below curated wrappers	specialist helper outputs	varies	Experimental / partial

Support Level Meaning

Stable

Preferred user-facing surfaces documented in guides and curated API pages.

Advanced

Supported, but intended for users who understand the base thermal target and workflow assumptions.

Experimental / partial

Present in the codebase, but not documented or polished as a primary user workflow.

Next Steps

• Workflow Map to choose an entrypoint.

• Support and Stability for the detailed support policy.