Optimisation of the design of shell and double concentric tubes heat exchanger using the Genetic Algorithm

Abstract

This paper presents the use of Genetic Algorithm in the sizing of the shell and double concentric tube heat exchanger where the objective function is the total cost which is the sum of the capital cost of the device and the operating cost. The use of the techno-economic methods based on the optimisation methods of heat exchangers sizing allow to have a device that satisfies the technical specification with the lowest possible levels of operating and investment costs. The logarithmic mean temperature difference method was used for the calculation of the heat exchange area. This new heat exchanger is more profitable and more economic than the old heat exchanger, the total cost decreased of about 13.16 % what represents 7,250.8 euro of the lump sum. The design modifications and the use of the Genetic Algorithm for the sizing also allow to improve the compactness of the heat exchanger, the study showed that the latter can increase the heat transfer surface area per unit volume until 340 m2/m3.