Optimization design for offset fin in plate heat exchanger with genetic algorithm

In the current optimization for plate fin heat exchanger with offset fins, simultaneous multi-parameter optimization is rarely considered, or researches usually depend on empirical relations. A strategy by genetic algorithm (GA) combined with Kriging response surface is proposed, where the Kriging response surface provides an approximate relationship between the objective function and design variables. The fin height h, fin space s, fin thickness t and interrupted length j of offset fins are taken as four optimization parameters, while maximum j factor, minimum f factor and maximum F_TEF factor as three single objective functions at Reynolds number of 800. The results show that the effects of the fin height and fin space on the overall performance F_TEF factor are positive and the effects of the fin thickness and the interrupted length are negative; the heat exchanger performance reaches the optimum as fin height h=9.5 mm, fin space s=2.1 mm, fin thickness t=0.1 mm and interrupted length l=3 mm; the genetic algorithm combined with Kriging response surface eliminates the dependence on empirical relations.