Mwesigye, AggreyBello-Ochende, TundeMeyer, Josua P.2015-03-262015-03-262015-02Mwesigye, A, Bello-Ochende, T & Meyer, JP 2015, 'Multi-objective and thermodynamic optimisation of a parabolic trough receiver with perforated plate inserts', Applied thermal engineering, vol. 77, pp. 42-56.1359-4311 (print)1873-5606 (online)10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2014.12.018http://hdl.handle.net/2263/44148In this paper, multi-objective and thermodynamic optimisation procedures are used to investigate the performance of a parabolic trough receiver with perforated plate inserts. Three dimensionless perforated plate geometrical parameters considered in the optimisation include the dimensionless orientation angle, the dimensionless plate diameter and the plate spacing per unit meter. The Reynolds number varies in the range 1.02 104 Re 1.36 106 depending on the fluid temperature. The multi-objective optimisation was realised through the combined use of computational fluid dynamics, design of experiments, response surface methodology and the Non-dominated Sorted Genetic Algorithm-II. For thermodynamic optimisation, the entropy generation minimisation method was used to determine configurations with minimum entropy generation rates.en© 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Notice : this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Applied Thermal Engineering. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Applied Thermal Engineering, vol. 77, pp. 42-56, 2015. doi : 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2014.12.018.Entropy generation minimisationHeat transfer performanceMulti-objective optimisationParabolic trough receiverPerforated plate insertsThermodynamic optimisationEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-09SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructurePostprint Article