Mathematical Problems in Engineering
Volume 2011 (2011), Article ID 421526, 11 pages
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2011/421526
Research Article

Geometry Optimization of Self-Similar Transport Network

X. D. Shan,1 M. Wang,1,2 and Z. Y. Guo1

1Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
2Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA

Received 4 February 2011; Accepted 12 April 2011

Academic Editor: Jerzy Warminski

Copyright © 2011 X. D. Shan et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

We optimize geometries of various self-similar transport networks using a three-step strategy based on the entransy theory. Using this optimization method, we obtained optimal relationships of geometric parameters of T-shape networks for fluid flow, heat conduction, convective heat transfer, and other transport phenomena. Some optimization results agree well with the existing theories or experimental data. The optimized transport network structure depends strongly on the optimization objective and the constraints, so that both the maximum heat transfer effect and minimum flow resistance cannot be satisfied at the same time.