PNS is used in different applications where it can be used to find optimum process structures like:
* Process engineering: Chemical process designs and the Synthesis of chemical processes is calculatedapplied in different case studies.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Friedler|first1=F.|last2=Varga|first2=J.B.|last3=Fan|first3=L.T.|title=Decision-mapping for design and synthesis of chemical processes: applications to reactor-network synthesis|journal=Chemical Engineering Science|date=1995|volume=50|issue=11|pages=1755-1768|doi=10.1016/0009-2509(95)00034-3|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0009250995000343}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Kalauz|first1=K.|last2=Sule|first2=Z.|last3=Bertok|first3=B.|last4=Friedler|first4=F.|last5=Fan|first5=L.T.|title=Extending Process-network Synthesis Algorithms with Time Bounds for Supply Network Design|journal=Chemical Engineering Transactions|date=2012|volume=29|doi=10.3303/CET1229044|url=http://www.aidic.it/cet/12/29/044.pdf}}</ref>
* Optimum energy technology networks for regional and urban energy systems: In case of regional and urban energy planning the financially most feasible network solution for energyresource suppliessystems is selected as target value. With this setting material- and energy flows, energy demand and cost of technologies are considered and the optimum technology network can be found. Simultaneously the robustness of technologies due to price changes and limitations in resource availability can be identified.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Narodoslawsky|first1=M.|last2=Niederl|first2=A.|last3=Halasz|first3=L.|title=Utilising renewable resources economically: new challenges and chances for process development|journal=Journal of Cleaner Production|date=2008|volume=16|issue=2|pages=164-170|doi=10.1016/j.jclepro.2006.08.023|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652606003349}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Niemetz|first1=N.|last2=Kettl|first2=K.H.|last3=Eder|first3=M.|last4=Narodoslawsky|first4=M.|title=RegiOpt Conceptual Planner - Identifying possible energy network solutions for regions|journal=Chemical Engineering Transactions|date=2012|volume=29|doi=10.3303/CET1229087|url=http://www.aidic.it/cet/12/29/087.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Lam|first1=H.L.|last2=Varbanov|first2=P.|last3=Klemeš|first3=J.|title=Regional Renewable Energy and Resource Planning|journal=Applied Energy|date=2011|volume=88|issue=2|pages=545-550|doi=10.1016/j.apenergy.2010.05.019|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261910002047}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Maier|first1=S.|last2=Narodoslawsky|first2=M.|title=Optimal Renewable Energy Systems for Smart Cities|journal=Computer Aided Chemical Engineering|volume=33|pages=1849-1854|doi=10.1016/B978-0-444-63455-9.50143-4|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780444634559501434}}</ref>
* Evacuation routes in buildings: The aim is to find optimal routes to evacuate buildings depending on specific side parameters.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Garcia-Ojeda|first1=J.C.|last2=Bertok|first2=B.|last3=Friedler|first3=F.|title=Planning Evacuation Routes with the P-graph Framework|journal=Chemical Engineering Transactions|date=2012|volume=29|doi=10.3303/CET1229256|url=http://www.aidic.it/cet/12/29/256.pdf}}</ref>
* Transportation routes: In this research area transportation routes with minimum cost and lowest environmental impact can be identified.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Barany|first1=M.|last2=Botond|first2=B.|last3=Kovacs|first3=Z.|last4=Friedler|first4=F.|title=Solving vehicle assignment problems by process-network synthesis to minimize cost and environmental impact of transportation|journal=Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy|date=2011|volume=13|doi=10.1007/s10098-011-0348-2|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10098-011-0348-2}}</ref>
