Automated shape optimisation of a plane asymmetric diffuser using combined Computational Fluid Dynamic simulations and multi-objective Bayesian methodology. Issue 6 (9th August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Daniels, S. J.; Rahat, A. A. M.; Tabor, G. R.; Fieldsend, J. E.; Everson, R. M.
• Is Part Of: International journal of computational fluid dynamics. Volume 33:Issue 6/7(2019)
• Page Start: 256
• Page End: 271
• Publication Date: 2019-08-09
• Subjects: Buice diffuser -- Catmull–Clark subdivision curves -- flow uniformity index -- pressure recovery -- shape optimisation -- multi-objective -- Bayesian optimisation; Fluid dynamics -- Data processing -- Periodicals; 532.05
• DOI: 10.1080/10618562.2019.1683165
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1061-8562

Abstract

Abstract : An approach for shape optimisation of the flow through a diffuser is presented in this work. This multi-objective problem focuses on maximising the diffuser performance by simultaneously increasing the static pressure recovery across the geometry and the flow uniformity at the outflow. The hydrodynamic analysis of the geometry was conducted using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software OpenFOAM, while a recently proposed multi-objective Bayesian approach was used for optimisation. The CFD and Bayesian methodology have been combined for fully automated operation using a Python-based framework. The proposed design parameterisation focuses on reshaping the diffuser in the expansion region. Catmull–Clark subdivision curves were employed to represent the shape of the diffuser wall; the influence of the number of control points (design points) for the curves on the optimum design was investigated. The optimal designs exhibit a reasonable performance improvement compared with the base design.