Heat transfer optimization in corrugated wall channels

In this work, the heat transfer in a channel composed of a smooth and a cor rugated wall is studied under laminar flow conditions. The velocity and tem perature distributions an determined with the help of a finite element mode l. The heat transfer performance of the corrugated wall channel is compared with that of a smooth wall duct. The numerical model is utilized in a gene tic algorithm to maximize the heat transfer by optimizing the corrugation p rofile, for given volume of the corrugated wall and pressure drop in the ch annel. Some optimum corrugation profiles are presented at the end. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.