Optimizing the tube geometry to enhance thermohydraulic performance of tube bank heat exchanger

In this study, optimum design parameters of circular, diamond and enhanced shaped geometries for staggered tube banks are explored utilizing a multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA-II). For given three geometries, two step optimization studies are compared: (1) circular and diamond shaped geometries, (2) diamond and enhanced shaped geometries. Steady, incompressible, and turbulent flow around three-dimensional numerical models is solved using finite volume method. Initially, using literature experimental data numerical results are validated for circular and diamond geometries. In the optimization studies, maximization of heat transfer and minimization of required pumping power are preferred as objective functions. The results of optimization studies are demonstrated graphically. Furthermore, velocity and temperature distribution for the optimum cases are illustrated. The results of first step optimization studies exhibited that diamond shaped tube bank shows higher heat transfer rate than circular one for the same given volume (156%). Besides, as a result of second step optimization studies, optimal enhanced shaped geometry showed 0.59% higher heat transfer rate, 21.73% lower pumping power requirement and 9.65% lower total tube bank volume than optimal diamond shaped one.