Fin and tube heat exchanger: Constructal thermo-economic optimization

Abstract

In this study, constructal (branch type) fin and tube heat exchanger (FTHE) is modeled and optimized. Effectiveness and total annual cost (TAC) are selected as objective functions and 8 variables for each section of exchanger are considered as design parameters (16 design parameters in total). Then, multi objective form of genetic algorithm is used to find the optimal Pareto front. The optimization is implemented for conventional FTHE as well and their results are compared with branch type condition. The optimum results show 6.65% improvement in the maximum effectiveness in the branch type condition compared with conventional FTHE. In the constructal state, lower volume is selected in the second section as compared with the first section. The same trend is also found for heat transfer surface area. Finally, optimum design parameters in terms of effectiveness for the both studied conditions are illustrated and discussed.