Adjoint-Based Shape Optimization Of Fin Geometry Using An Isothermal Streamwise Periodic Flow Solver

Conference Paper (2025)
Author(s)

N. Anand (Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek, TU Delft - Flight Performance and Propulsion)

Research Group
Flight Performance and Propulsion
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.11159/ffhmt25.144
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Publication Year
2025
Language
English
Research Group
Flight Performance and Propulsion
ISBN (print)
9781990800580
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Abstract

The optimal design of heat exchanges is critical for a wide range of existing and emerging technologies. Traditional design methods often use experimental correlations to estimate thermal and hydraulic performance. However, CFD-based design methods have recently evolved as an alternative to these conventional methods. This paper proposes a CFD-based shape optimization method to design a two-dimensional representation of cylindrical fins. The method consists of a CAD-based parametrization tool and uses a streamwise periodic flow solver to estimate the performance of the fins. In addition, to enable gradient-based optimization, the sensitivity of the objective function with respect to the design variables is provided to the optimizer through an adjoint-based method. The proposed shape optimization method was applied to design cylindrical fins operating at laminar and turbulent flow regimes. The optimization results show that the fluid dynamic performance of the fins increased by 16.5% for the laminar case and 35.8% for the turbulent case while maintaining their thermal performance to their baseline values.

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