Constructal design of distributed cooling on the landscape

Abstract

SUMMARYHere we constructal design to determine the area size (or number of users N) to be allocated to a central refrigeration plant, and to configure the distribution network for the distributed cooling system. The main objective is to maximize the net cooling capacity delivered to every user, and to minimize the pumping power required for transporting the chilled water. Two types of distribution networks are investigated: radial and tree-shaped networks. First, when ducts with a single diameter are used, the net cooling capacity delivered to every user is almost the same, while the pumping power requirement for the tree network is greater than that for the radial network. Multi-diameter tree networks are investigated next. The pumping power requirement for multi-diameter tree-shaped network is less than for radial network when N is greater than 19 if the flow is laminar, and when N is greater than 80 if the flow is turbulent. The global performance of the area-based cooling system can be improved by increasing the freedom to morph the configuration.

Optimization of Pin-Fins for a Heat Exchanger by Entropy Generation Minimization and Constructal Law

“…He introduced the global objective as the maximum possible amount of liquid distilled, and the global constraint as the total size of the reflective plate and cover. Xia et al [19] found the optimal area size that should be allocated 1 to a central refrigeration plant. Then, the best configuration of distribution network for the distributed cooling system was determined.…”

Proposed design of distributed macroalgal biorefineries: thermodynamics, bioconversion technology, and sustainability implications for developing economies

“…Our approach is inspired by Constructal design which demonstrates how the optimal distribution of products and services flows across a populated area depends on a balance between the size of the production centers and the sizes of distribution networks that connect these centers to end users . Although larger systems are thermodynamically more efficient in production, they serve larger areas; thus, the collection and distribution logistical costs also increase with size, as do potential environmental impacts and public opposition .…”

“…This balance has been used for analyzing both the thermodynamics of energy sources and the economics of agricultural/biofuel systems . Applications of the balance principle have been demonstrated for various systems such as the thermodynamic optimization of hot water flow and heating, refrigeration, combined solar power and desalination, and agricultural product processing economics . The balance principle has also led to proposals for distributed energy systems to optimize energy production size and service area .…”

Constructal design of regenerators

“…The configuration with parallel channels had N channels of diameter D f and height H. The diameter D f was chosen from Eq. (17), which means that a given porosity and total volume of the configuration is known from the solid thickness to the number of channels N. The corresponding overall pressure losses were expressed in Eq. (22),…”

“…In this paper, we rely on the constructal law in order to propose a novel perspective on how to design a regenerator. According to the constructal law, all flow systems (animate and inanimate) have the natural tendency to evolve their configurations (their designs) in time so that they flow more easily [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]. In the regenerator design perspective that we construct, flowing more easily means an evolutionary design (a morphing architecture) toward flowing with lower and better distributed thermal and fluid resistances such that the 'whole' exhibits a greater performance.…”