Topology optimization of convective heat transfer problems for non-Newtonian fluids

We conduct topology optimization of convective heat transfer problems based on the power law type non-Newtonian fluid. A heat transfer maximization problem is studied by using a material distribution based optimization method to optimize configurations of non-Newtonian cooling devices. The key idea of the method is to discern the fluid and the solid domains by a design variable, namely the “material density.” It is updated according to the gradient information obtained from an adjoint-based sensitivity analysis process. The non-Newtonian effects on optimal configurations of thermal devices are numerically investigated. Our results show that more branched flow channels appear in the optimal designs as the pressure difference or heat generation grows. Meanwhile, the dependence of the optimal layout on the power law index is demonstrated and higher power law index can result in more complex configurations and lower flow rate. Compared with the low power law index one, the optimal design of the high power law index problem has much better heat transfer performance on the same condition.