Two-dimensional topology optimization of fluid channel distributions – pressure objective

Abstract

Paper presented to the 10th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Florida, 14-16 July 2014.

In this two dimensional numerical study, miniature cooling channel lay-outs were obtained using topology optimization techniques. Laminar steady state flow was considered for different inlet and outlet configurations. A pressure minimization objective was considered in this paper. The physics of the primary system was controlled via a discreet design variable set and implemented in the model using the finite volume method. To improve convection effects, design level cells were sub-divided into up to three by three computational sub cells. It was found that improved material distributions with discrete solid-to-liquid interfaces were obtained when a global (domain wise) objective function was used and the placement of solid and liquid cells were done according to the gradient-based sensitivities of the objective functions. It was found that flow-rate-specific topology optimization was needed to reduce over-all pressure drop.