An RSM approach to optimize the thermal performance of novel type vortex generators

Abstract

In this study, a comparative analysis of crimp degree (α), attack angle (β), and pitch (Pt) optimization variables is performed for the novel type vortex generator (NTVG) structure. The central composite design is used to the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique for thermal performance optimization.The results of response surface analysis indicate that small β, proper α, and Pt contribute to the improvement of the heat transfer performance, while the flow loss decreases as they increase. According to the RSM approach combined with the particle swarm algorithm, the heat transfer performance of NTVGs is enhanced by 19%, the friction factor is improved by 30%, and the thermal performance factor is increased to 109.1%. The CFD analysis shows that the strength of the inner vortex around the optimized NTVG structure is weakened by the reduced flow impingement, resulting in a considerable reduction in the friction factor with the maintenance of heat transfer.