Application of a particle swarm optimization for shape optimization in hydraulic machinery

Abstract

A study of shape optimization has become increasingly popular in academia and industry. A typical problem is to find an optimal shape, which minimizes (or maximizes) a certain cost function and satisfies given constraints. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) has received a lot of attention in past years and is inspired by social behaviour of some animals such as flocking behaviour of birds. This paper focuses on a possibility of a diffuser shape optimization using particle swarm optimization (PSO), which is coupled with CFD simulation. Influence of main parameters of PSO-Algorithm and later diffuser shapes obtained with this method are discussed and advantages/disadvantages summarized.