AI-assisted maldistribution minimization of membrane-based heat/mass exchangers for compact absorption cooling
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review
Author(s)
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Detail(s)
Original language | English |
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Article number | 125922 |
Journal / Publication | Energy |
Volume | 263 |
Online published | 31 Oct 2022 |
Publication status | Published - 15 Jan 2023 |
Link(s)
Abstract
Flow maldistribution has been a major challenge for heat/mass exchangers, which is a particular concern in compact membrane-based absorbers used in absorption refrigeration systems driven by renewable/waste energy. Herein, we construct an artificial intelligence (AI) tool coupling a 3D CFD model, a discrete model, and an optimization algorithm for the development of highly efficient and compact plate-and-frame membrane-based absorbers (PFMAs). In the AI-assisted tool, CFD simulations demonstrate that the PFMA suffers from more severe flow maldistribution as the number of channels increases. The average absorption rate is decreased by 21.44% as the number of channels increases from 5 to 21. The heat and mass transfer performance of the 5-channel and 21-channel models is reduced by 3% and 22%, respectively. Meanwhile, a simple and universal discrete model is developed and validated to predict the flow distribution in PFMAs, with a maximum deviation of 10.18%. To minimize the flow maldistribution, an optimization structure with a uniform distributed flow field is determined by developing and coupling a rapid optimization algorithm. After optimization, a reduction of about 10 times in the flow maldistribution can be achieved, and the heat and mass transfer performance deterioration caused by the flow maldistribution can be minimized to about 1%.
Research Area(s)
- AI-Assisted tool, Discrete model, Flow maldistribution, Heat and mass transfer performance, Membrane-based absorbers, Renewable/waste energy
Citation Format(s)
AI-assisted maldistribution minimization of membrane-based heat/mass exchangers for compact absorption cooling. / Sui, Zengguang; Wu, Wei.
In: Energy, Vol. 263, 125922, 15.01.2023.
In: Energy, Vol. 263, 125922, 15.01.2023.
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review