Optimized tube bank configurations: A multi-objective approach to entropy and volume minimization


Kuru M. N., Özkarakoç M., Erdinç M. T., Karasu İ., Ünal Ş.

Applied Thermal Engineering, cilt.278, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 278
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2025.127003
  • Dergi Adı: Applied Thermal Engineering
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, PASCAL, Aerospace Database, Business Source Elite, Business Source Premier, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, INSPEC, Metadex, DIALNET, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Cam/wing/flat tube, Dimensioning, Elliptical tube, Entropy generation, Optimization, Tube bank
  • Samsun Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

The optimization of tube bank configurations is crucial for enhancing the thermal performance and compactness of heat exchanger designs, especially in applications where volume and energy efficiency are critical. Unlike previous studies that typically focused on either thermal performance or geometric compactness alone, this study introduces a multi-objective optimization framework that simultaneously minimizes entropy generation and volume. The optimization is conducted for tube banks with circular, elliptical, and cam/wing/flat-shaped cross-sections, in both in-line and staggered arrangements. The optimization process involves varying the dimensionless transversal and longitudinal pitches, as well as shape-specific geometric parameters for non-circular tubes. All configurations are evaluated under uniform conditions, including constant average inlet velocity, identical heat transfer surface area. Design constraints include a minimum heat transfer rate of 200W and maximum allowable pitches of 50mm in both directions. The results demonstrate that tube shape and arrangement significantly influence thermohydraulic performance. The staggered wing-shaped tube bank yields the lowest entropy generation, achieving a 15.2% reduction relative to the circular baseline. Conversely, the in-line flat tube bank provides the highest compactness, with an 18.7% reduction in total volume compared to its circular counterpart under identical thermal and flow conditions. This study offers a comprehensive multi-objective optimization framework, guiding the design of high-performance, volume-constrained heat exchangers by simultaneously addressing entropy minimization and geometric compactness.