Adjoint-Based Shape Optimization for Industrial Heat Exchangers

Abstract

This paper showcases the multiphysics discrete adjoint solver of the open Source solver SU2 at the example of a pin-array heat exchanger, simulated via a simplified 2D unit cell to evaluate the pin-shapes performance. The shape derivatives of the utilized conjugate heat transfer case are validated against finite differences and show good agreement. In a constrained shape optimization, the presented workflow proves its robustness over a full optimization. The utilized mesh deformation setup for the investigated downstream periodic and internal flow is presented in detail, as retaining a valid mesh under deformation was found to be challenging.

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