Adjoint based topology optimization of conjugate heat transfer systems

Abstract

This paper presents a topology optimization method for coupled thermal problems. Heat transfer linked with the forced convection flow inside cooling channels is investigated using a conjugate model. This model includes both the full Navier‐Stokes equations for the fluid medium and the energy equations for both fluid and solid. In this present work, the adjoint method is extended to such conjugate heat transfer (CHT) systems to optimize their performance by the use of gradient based methods. This performance is usually a compromise between an increase in heat flux or temperature distribution at a surface and maintaining a low pressure loss within the system. To exemplify the method a uniform temperature distribution is chosen and evaluated numerically. For implementation the open source CFD Software OpenFOAM is used. (© 2017 Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)