Optimization of constructal T-shaped porous fins under convective environment using Swarm Intelligence Algorithms

Abstract

Constructal T-shaped porous fins transfer better heat compared to the rectangular counterparts by improving the heat flow through the low resistive links. This type of fins can be used in aerospace engines which demand faster removal of heat without adding extra weight of the overall assembly. Here, in this study, three powerful nature-inspired metaheuristic algorithms such as particle swarm optimization, gravitational search algorithm, and Firefly algorithm have been used to optimize the dominant thermo physical as well as geometric parameters which are responsible for transferring heat at faster rates from the fin body satisfying a volume constraint. The temperature distribution along the stem and the flange has been plotted, and the effect of important parameters on the efficiency has been determined. Three different volumes are selected for the analysis, and the results have shown marked improvement in the optimized heat transfer rate. Particle swarm optimization has reported an increase of 0.81%, while Firefly algorithm reports 0.83% improvement as we increase the fin volume from 500 to 1000 and 0.19% (by PSO) and 0.4% (by FA) as the volume increases from 1000 to 1500. The paper also presents a scheme of reducing the computational effort required by the algorithms to converge around the optimum point. While a reduction of 14.36% computational effort has been achieved in particle swarm optimization’s convergence time, Firefly algorithm took 24.64% less time to converge at the near-optimum point. While particle swarm optimization has converged at better optimal points compared to Firefly algorithm and Gravitational search algorithm, Gravitational search algorithm has outperformed the two algorithms in terms of computational time. Gravitational search algorithm took 61.72 and 29.33% less time to converge as compared to particle swarm optimization and Firefly algorithm, respectively.