A new hybrid optimization method is presented that is fairly robust and can be accomplished in an automatic way. The main idea is using integer cuts and bounds, based on driving force plot analysis, for the lean streams to decrease the possibility of being trapped in local optima. A new initial solution is constructed if the MINLP solution is infeasible; otherwise the earlier found best solution is used In consequence, the MINLP model is modified in the iteration steps. The iteration is stopped when the total annual cost (TA C) in the solution reaches 1.1 center dot TAC(target).