Optimization of a composite latent heat storage (CLHS) with non-uniform heat fluxes using a genetic algorithm

Abstract

The scope of this work is to show optimization potential for regularly structured composite latent heat storage (CLHS) devices with non-uniform heat loads by varying the distribution of fins on the contact surface to an electronic component. The modeling of the CLHS is carried out in 2D using Matlab in combination with Comsol and the effective heat capacity method for the melting process. The link between Matlab and Comsol is carried out with the Comsol–Matlab LiveLink. The modeled CLHS is a composite of aluminum with the phase change material (PCM) Parafol 22-95 (Sasol). The optimization goal was the minimization of the surface-averaged temperature at the final time tf=2400s on the contact surface. The optimization parameters were the positions of fins along this surface. Optimization results were compared to a CLHS with equally distributed fins and showed relative improvement of up to 3% for a certain aluminum/PCM-ratio. The optimization was done using the genetic algorithm (GA) of Matlab on a high performance computer (HPC) at the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH).