Structure optimization for inlet header of heat exchanger considering uncertain distribution parameters

PENG Xiang1,2, XU Xiao-qing1, LI Ji-quan1, JIANG Shao-fei1
(1.College of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China;
2.State Key Lab of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China)

Abstract: Aiming at the performance design problem of inlet header of heat exchanger, the uncertainty analysis of structural variables, construction of Kriging approximate model, and optimization design of structural variables were studied, a structure optimization design method for inlet header of heat exchanger considering uncertainties of distribution parameters was proposed. The representation functions of uncertain structural variables and their distribution parameters were determined based on uncertainty analysis of inlet header. The adaptive Kriging approximate model between structural variables and flow nonuniformity degree was constructed based on prediction interval criterion and genetic algorithm. The uncertainty optimization design function of inlet header was established. The optimization design of uncertain structural variables was realized aiming at the lowest flow nonuniformity in Isight, and the optimum structure size of inlet header was obtained considering uncertain distribution parameter. The results indicate that the internal flow of the optimized inlet header is more uniform, and the outlet velocity nonuniformity is reduced, which can improve the thermal efficiency of heat exchanger.

Key words: heat exchanger; uncertain distribution parameters; flow nonuniformity degree; header structure optimization