A new perspective of constructal networks cooling a finite-size volume generating heat

Gilles Marck (1, 2) , Jean-Luc Harion (2) , Maroun Nemer (1) , Serge Russeil (2) , Daniel Bougeard (2)

1 CEP/Paris
2 Mines Douai EMD - École des Mines de Douai

Constructal theory has been used in several scientific fields since it has been established a decade ago. It mainly treats of the "area to point" flow problem, which has been first-written in the frame of the cooling of a finite-size volume generating heat. This problem, widely discussed in literature, has been optimized thanks to constructal theory formulated by Bejan, with a deterministic approach. However, some of the physical and mathematical assumptions made to simplify the problem are questionable, especially the ones regarding the high-conductivity material constituting the tree-shaped structure. In this paper, the performances of constructal designs are evaluated using a finite volume method, which allows making a comparison between different constructal geometries. An algorithm has been developed which has the ability for restraining constructal networks inside a finite-size area, without overconstraining the structure. All things considered, this paper examines constructal theory from a new point of view thanks to analytical and numerical investigations, in the frame of a finite-size volume generating heat.

Mots clés: Deterministic approach; Flow problems; High-conductivity materials; Numerical investigations; Optimization; Constructal theory; Tree-networks

Domaines: Energétique

Gilles Marck, Jean-Luc Harion, Maroun Nemer, Serge Russeil, Daniel Bougeard. A new perspective of constructal networks cooling a finite-size volume generating heat. Energy Conversion and Management, 2011, 52 (2), pp.1033-1046. ⟨10.1016/j.enconman.2010.08.032⟩. ⟨hal-00769580⟩