Optimization of Channel Width Distribution of a Gas Flow Field by Integrating Computational Fluid Dynamics Code with a Simplified Conjugate-Gradient Method

Abstract

This study is aimed at development of an approach applied for optimal design of straight channel width distribution that leads to an even flow field used in a micro-reformer by computational optimization. The approach is developed by integrating a direct problem solver with an optimizer. A commercial computational fluid dynamics code (CFD−ACE+) is used as the direct problem solver, which is used to predict the three-dimensional mass and momentum transport phenomenon in the flow field. On the other hand, the simplified conjugate-gradient method (SCGM) is employed as the optimizer, which works with the direct problem solver on optimization of the channel width distribution. The design of straight channel width distribution that leads to an even channel flow rate distribution is attempted. In this study, the optimization of a flow field is carried out, which has three different models regarding the inlet and outlet configuration, including (1) central inlet/central outlet, (2) right inlet/right outlet, and (3) right inlet/left outlet. Results show that, for the three models considered, the standard deviation of the flow rates in the channels for models 1, 2, and 3 are reduced from 0.22, 0.55, and 0.18 to 0.005, 0.013, and 0.0068, respectively.