Numerical simulations and optimization of porous pin fins in a rectangular channel

In this study, the multiparameter constrained optimization procedure integrating the design of experiments (DOE), genetic algorithm (GA), and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is proposed to design three-dimensional porous pin fins in a rectangular channel. The Forchheimer-Brinkman extended Darcy model and the two-equation energy model are adopted to describe the fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics in the porous media. The elliptical, coupled, steady-state, and three-dimensional governing partial differential equations for laminar forced convection with porous pin fins in a rectangular channel are solved numerically using the finite volume approach. The numerical optimization provides a reliable and economic mean of designing a heat transfer channel with porous pin fin arrays.