Heuristic shape optimization of baffled fluid distributor for uniform flow distribution

Abstract

International audienceThis paper presents a CFD-based, heuristic evolutionary algorithm for shape design and optimization of baffled fluid distributor. In this algorithm, the baffle surface is firstly divided into numerous identical control areas (volumes), each control area having an orifice in the middle. Under the constraint of constant global porosity of the baffle, the algorithm adjusts the size distribution of orifices so as to approach identical mass flowrate passing through every control area. An automatic program is processed iteratively so that the baffle configuration evolves toward the optimized shape, providing a uniform flow distribution among parallel outlet channels.To illustrate the principles and procedure of this algorithm, a 2D example of baffled fluid distributor is introduced and tested. Numerical results show that this algorithm can successfully reach uniform flow distribution with a small pressure drop increase. Sensitivity analysis also shows that this algorithm is robust, effective, general and flexible compared to traditional arbitrary or empirical propositions. A parametric study of influencing design parameters on the performance of the algorithm is carried out in order to provide some design guidelines. Finally, the theoretical basis and essential steps for the extension of the current algorithm to tackle 3D problem are established. The easy implementation of this simply solution for the general fluid maldistribution problem demonstrates its promising application in real engineering field

CFD-based evolutionary algorithm for the realization of target fluid flow distribution among parallel channels

“…This case study implies that the proposed evolutionary algorithm is efficient for fluid flow homogenization. More details on the performance of evolutionary algorithm for uniform flow distribution, especially the effects of the baffle location, the initial size distribution of orifices and the global porosity can be found in our earlier work (Luo et al, 2015b). …”

“…A perforated baffle with thickness e is put forward to be installed inside the distributing manifold. The length of the baffle (L) equals to the length of the distributing manifold (L in ), and the distance S between the perforated baffle and the inlets of parallel channels is an adjustable parameter subject to optimization (Luo et al, 2015b). The baffle is divided into M virtual control groups of identical length (l CG ), also indexed by k from 1 to M, each control group corresponding to a channel.…”

“…The basic idea is to install a thin perforated baffle at the distributing manifold and to optimize the size and distribution of orifices, in order to reach the target flow-rate in every downstream channel. With respect to our earlier work (Luo et al, 2015b), the present work also concerns the geometry optimization of perforated baffle, but brings the following major advances:…”

“…Lalot et al, 1999;Commenge et al, 2002;Jiao et al, 2003;Luo et al, 2007;Rebrov et al, 2007;Saber et al, 2010;Yue et al, 2010;Tondeur et al, 2011;Kumaran et al, 2013;Guo et al, 2014;Al-Rawashdeh et al, 2014;etc.). Different types of flow equalization devices are proposed to create flow equidistribution, as summarized in Rebrov et al (2011) and in Luo et al (2015b).…”

Numerical study on the improvement of flow distribution uniformity among parallel mini-channels

“…Our ongoing works are focused on the development of evolutionary algorithms (Wang et al, 2010;Luo et al, 2015) for more subtle modifications of the distributor/collector shape, in order to reach uniform flow distribution with small increase of pressure loss. Numerical and experimental investigations on the hydraulic and thermal characteristics of a multi-scale ladder network are also the directions of our future work.…”