“Multi-optimization of nanofluid and fractal fin in the plate heat exchanger using RSM and TOPSIS”
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study employs a three-step methodology to conduct a multi-objective optimization of a novel three-stream plate-fin heat exchanger design. Numerical simulations are conducted using the finite volume method (FVM) to analyze the thermal-fluid performance of a three-layer heat exchanger incorporating fractal fins in its mid-layer. Subsequently, a multi-objective optimization framework is implemented, combining the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II) with the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) for Pareto-front analysis and optimal design selection. The results of this research show that the fractal fin attack corner increase causes more flow deviation from the direct route and better fluid mixing arising from collision to the internal surfaces of the exchanger. With flow velocity increase, the thermal boundary layer forms and disappears by collision to the fin surfaces. Also, adding volume fractions of solid particles to a similar Reynolds number for different attack corners can increase heat transfer by about 48 percent. An increase of the fractal fin's attack corner to 100 degrees increases the amount of pumping power to about 50 percent in comparison to the fin with a 30-degree attack corner. However, it demonstrated a significant nonlinear decrease of about 1.2 times as the Reynolds number increased to 11,000. In the multi-objective optimization analysis, significant enhancements were observed in the Nusselt number and the Colburn coefficient, which increased by approximately 50% and 260%, respectively, compared to the initial state. Conversely, the pumping power was sharply reduced by 93%, while the Friction factor saw a 43% increase.
Language: English
Subfield: Mechanical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,170
OpenAlex ID: W7116990210