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Multi-objective optimization of a plate and frame heat exchanger via genetic algorithm

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Abstract

In the present paper, a plate and frame heat exchanger is considered. Multi-objective optimization using genetic algorithm is developed in order to obtain a set of geometric design parameters, which lead to minimum pressure drop and the maximum overall heat transfer coefficient. Vividly, considered objective functions are conflicting and no single solution can satisfy both objectives simultaneously. Multi-objective optimization procedure yields a set of optimal solutions, called Pareto front, each of which is a trade-off between objectives and can be selected by the user, regarding the application and the project’s limits. The presented work takes care of numerous geometric parameters in the presence of logical constraints. A sensitivity analysis is also carried out to study the effects of different geometric parameters on the considered objective functions. Modeling the system and implementing the multi-objective optimization via genetic algorithm has been performed by MATLAB.

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Abbreviations

A 1 :

Effective area, m2

A 1P :

Projected area, m2

A C :

Flow area in channel, m2

b :

Meanflow channel gap, m

C :

Heat capacity rate (m C p ), W K−1

c p :

Specific heat of fluid, J kg−1 K−1

D e :

Channel equivalent diameter, m

D p :

Port diameter, m

f :

Friction factor

G :

Mass flux velocity, kg m−2 s−1

GA:

Genetic algorithm

h :

Heat transfer coefficient, W m–2 K−1

k w :

Thermal conductivity, W m−1 K−1

L c :

Total length of compact plates, m

L eff :

Effective length of the flow, m

L h :

Horizontal distance of ports, m

L v :

Vertical distance of ports, m

L w :

Effective plate width, m

N cp :

Number of channels per pass

N p :

Number of passes

N t :

Total number of plates

P :

Plate depth, m

PHE:

Plate heat exchanger.

ΔP :

Pressure drop, N m−2

P w :

Wetted surface, m2

Re :

Reynolds number

t :

Plate thickness, m

U :

Overall heat transfer coefficient, W m2 K

ε :

Effectiveness

ρ :

Density, kg m−3

μ :

Viscosity, N m−1 s−1

ϕ :

Enlargement factor

c:

Cold fluid

ch:

Channel

h:

Hot fluid

i:

Inlet

o:

Outlet

max:

Maximum

min:

Minimum

p:

Port

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, No 7, Pardis St, Mollasadra Ave, Vanak Sq., 19395-1999, Tehran, Iran

    Hamidreza Najafi & Behzad Najafi

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  1. Hamidreza Najafi
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  2. Behzad Najafi
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Correspondence to Hamidreza Najafi.

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Najafi, H., Najafi, B. Multi-objective optimization of a plate and frame heat exchanger via genetic algorithm. Heat Mass Transfer 46, 639–647 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00231-010-0612-8

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