17 Oct 2017
by Keelwit Technology | 17 Oct 2017 | Computer Fluid Dynamics
KeelWit has published an article titled Boiler inlet duct shape design optimization for combined cycle power plants. Founded in 1926, DYNA is one of the most influential and prestigious engineering journals in the world, as recognized by Thomson-Reuters in the annual edition of its JCR report and undoubtedly a reference of scientific publications in Spanish. The contribution of this paper is twofold: on the one hand, it shows that there is substantial room for improvement in the shape design of the inlet ducts of Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSGs), in terms of achieving a lower pressure drop, a higher velocity uniformity and an important cost reduction of the unit; on the other hand, it shows how the application of the Multi Objective Structured Hybrid Direct Search (MOST-HDS) algorithm, can find improved designs. This algorithm is applicable in many fields for aerodynamic shape optimization involving big displacements, which can be quite unconventional and non-intuitive. The MOST-HDS algorithm combines genetic, gradient and swarm search intelligence in every iteration. The results obtained for the two HRSG families presented show that there are optimum trade-off design points with simultaneous reductions in pressure drop of up to 20- 25%, in lateral surface of up to 38% and in boiler inlet length of up to 16%, while having comparable velocity uniformities to the existing designs. Link to open access article:...
