CONSTRUCTAL DESIGN OF BRANCHED CONDUCTIVITY PATHWAYS INSERTED IN A TRAPEZOIDAL BODY: A NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF BODY SHAPE ON OPTIMAL PATHWAY STRUCTURE
Publication Type:
Journal
Authors:
Co-Authors:
Luiz Alberto Oliveira Rocha
Year Published:
2018
Abstract:
This paper presents the application of constructal design to the geometry of a morphing
branched conductivity pathway inserted in a trapezoidal body with a constant heat transfer rate at the
base. The objective is to study the effect of conductivity ratio of the materials, and the strength of the
convective cooling on the structure of the embedded pathway, whose geometrical features are
deduced through constructal design. It is shown that the body global thermal resistance, represented
by the maximum dimensionless temperature can be minimized by means of a constrained geometric
optimization, in which the total area of the body remains constant. Five degrees of freedom were
identified along the lines of constructal theory; three related to the pathway geometry and two related
to the body geometry. The exploration of the search space was conducted via optimization by a
genetic algorithm. The results indicate that when the conductivity pathway shape is free to morph, the
thermal performance is improved according to the constructal principle of optimal distribution of
imperfection. In addition, two different behaviours in the heat transfer process are identified: one for
small values of heat transfer coefficient and other for high values. It is reported that the optimal
pathway geometry changes under different conditions, with the combined system always aiming for
the configuration that allows more ease for the currents within it.
Journal:
Proceedings of the Romanian Academy
Volume:
Series A
Issue:
Speial Issue/2018
Pagination:
297-302
ISSN:
Short Title:
Date Published: