Estimation of Radius Ratio in a Fin Using Inverse CFD Model

This article deals with the retrieval of parameters such as the radius-ratio in a rectangular fin using an inverse CFD model involving a mixed boundary condition. At first, the temperature field is obtained from a forward problem using the finite difference method (FDM) in which the inner and outer radii or the radius-ratio is assumed to be known. Next, by an inverse approach using the FDM in conjunction with the genetic algorithm (GA), the inner and outer radii or the radius-ratio is retrieved. To accomplish the task, an objective function represented by the sum of square of the error between the guessed and the exact/measured temperature fields is minimized. Apart from demonstrating the suitability of the FDM-GA, the study provides guidelines for selecting suitable optimization parameters. It is observed that subject to appropriate selection of parameters, very good estimation accuracy could be obtained.