Inverse boundary design of two-dimensional radiant enclosures with absorbing—emitting media using micro-genetic algorithm

Abstract

Micro-genetic algorithm (μGA) was employed to inverse boundary design of a radiant enclosure with absorbing—emitting medium. The goal of inverse analysis was to find a set of heaters over some parts of the boundary, called the heater surface, to satisfy the desired heat flux profile over the design surface. The direct problem of radiative heat transfer was solved by the discrete transfer method. The inverse problem was solved through the minimization of an appropriate objective function using the μGA. A novel smoothing criterion was used to achieve a smooth distribution of heaters over the heater surface. The desired heat fluxes over the design surface were well recovered by employing a smooth distribution of heaters over the heater surface. The ability of this method to solve the inverse problem in irregular geometries was demonstrated by an example.