Multi-objective optimization of micro planar combustor with tube outlet by RSM and NSGA-II for thermophotovoltaic applications

Abstract

The pressure loss (Δp), output power (Qtot) and system efficiency (ηMTPV) are the most important performance parameters of micro combustor for thermophotovoltaic applications. However, the above performance paremetres are conflicted in the optimization of micro planar combustor with tube outlet for thermophotovoltaic applications. In this work, RSM (Response Surface Methodology) and Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) is combined to make a trade-off among the above performance parameters. With the inlet velocity (vin) and equivalence ratio (φ), tube length (L9), tube diameter (D) and tube distance (L10) selected as design variables, central composite design is used to arrange simulation cases. The regression model about Δp is quadratic, while the regression models about Qtot and ηMTPV are linear. Then, the significance of each term in the regression models is determined and arranged by variance (ANOVA). Fianlly, according to the Pareto optimal solution obtained from NSGA-II, the optimal values of the objective function are Δp = 977.87 Pa, Qtot = 6.59 W and ηMTPV = 2.72 %, and the corresponding design variables are vin = 7.09 m/s, φ = 0.99, L9 = 6.71 mm, D = 1.75 mm and L10 = 3.97 mm, respectively.