Application of Kriging-Based Optimization and Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics in Development of a Microchannel Heat Exchanger Model

Abstract

A microchannel heat exchanger (MCHX) is a technology that provides increased thermal efficiency in a small volume relative to other types of heat exchangers via an extremely high surface area-to-volume ratio. This characteristic is specifically valued when considering use in small modular reactors. With relatively little design information for commercial MCHXs available in open literature, development of a robust model and optimization thereof for use in nuclear reactors takes on significant importance. Some applications of this technology involve phase change, which is a challenging modelling problem given large volumetric changes of the liquid and gas phases, as well as moving boundaries at the phase interface. This problem is mitigated by use of a Lagrangian formulation such as smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH), whose use in the development of the MCHX model is discussed. Additionally, the Kriging optimization algorithm is introduced, includingits use to generate a suitable MCHX design.