Title: Thermal configuration of a two-dimensional disc using the constructal law

Authors: Muhammed Z. Ayar; Adel F. Ahmed; Ahmet Z. Sahin; Lahouari Ghouti; Bekir S. Yilbas

Addresses: Computer Science Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia ' Computer Science Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia ' Mechanical Engineering Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia ' Computer Science Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia ' Mechanical Engineering Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia

Abstract: The main objective of the present work is to find the optimum design configuration to enhance the conduction heat transfer in a disc with heat generation at the central part of the disc by introducing conducting branches with high thermal conductivity. In this regard, the coordinate search method is used in conjunction with the constructal law to find the optimal conducting branch configuration resulting in a minimum temperature difference in a two-dimensional (2-D) disc where the heat flows from centre to its circumference. A considerable reduction in the search time is achieved using the constructal law; consequently, a numerical tool called "The Constructal Disc Tool" is developed. By utilising geometric and thermophysical parameters such as the volume constraint, thermal conductivity, heat generation rate and geometric dimensions, the Constructal Disc Tool is able to identify the optimal configuration of a simple 2-D circular heat flow system.

Keywords: constructal design; heat transfer; optimisation; CDT; constructal disc tool; thermal configuration; 2D circular heat flow; thermal conductivity; volume constraints; heat generation rate; geometric dimensions.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2016.075670

International Journal of Exergy, 2016 Vol.19 No.3, pp.380 - 394

Received: 13 Nov 2014
Accepted: 09 Mar 2015
Published online: 31 Mar 2016 *

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