A Comparative Study of Evolutionary and Search Algorithms for Optimization of Heat Exchanger with Microchannel Coil

In this paper a comparative study of several algorithms for the optimization of heat exchanger with microchannel coil has been done. Multivariate optimizations have included three geometrical parameters of heat exchanger which, as predicted, significantly influence hydrodynamic behavior of the system. Data set used for the optimizations have been numerically acquired and experimentally validated. The air/water side numerical model of heat exchanger composed of flat tubes with rectangular shapes has been used. Objective function that combines the heat transfer rate and the pressure drops of air and water has been developed and employed for the optimization procedures. The optimization has been performed by means of two evolutionary algorithms (Genetic Algorithm and Simulated Annealing) and Pattern Search Algorithm. The comparison of obtained results has been accomplished along with the results analysis and final conclusions.