The Application of Imperialist Competitive Algorithm in Optimizing the Free Convection Heat Transfer in a Vertical Cavity with Flow Diverters

Abstract

This paper discussed about the application of imperialist competitive algorithm (ICA) to optimize the free convection in a vertical cavity with adiabatic horizontal, isothermally vertical walls and adiabatic diverters. Experiments included diverter angle with respect to horizon ranging from 0° to 150°. Also, the Rayleigh number based on the cavity side length varied from 6×103 to 1.2×104. After data reduction, the regression equation of convective heat flux was obtained as a function of Rayleigh number and diverter angle. Then the cost function was optimized using ICA. One can be sure that the convective heat flux will be optimized due to the optimization of the cost function. Computational results indicate that the proposed optimization algorithm is quite effective and powerful in optimizing the cost function. According to the results, in order to obtain maximum heat transfer, the diverter angle must be at the highest level.