Optimal design study of thermoacoustic regenerator with lexicographic optimization method
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to illustrate the use of the augmented epsilon-constraint method implemented in general algebraic modelling system (GAMS), aimed at optimizing the geometry of a thermoacoustic regenerator. Thermoacoustic heat engines provide a practical solution to the problem of heat management where heat can be pumped or spot cooling can be produced. However, the most inhibiting characteristic of thermoacoustic cooling is their current lack of efficiencies.
Design/methodology/approach
Lexicographic optimization is presented as an alternative optimization technique to the common used weighting methods. This approach establishes a hierarchical order among all the optimization objectives instead of giving them a specific (and most of the time, arbitrary) weight.
Findings
A practical example is given, in a hypothetical scenario, showing how the proposed optimization technique may help thermoacoustic regenerator designers to identify Pareto optimal solutions when dealing with geometric parameters. This study highlights the fact that the geometrical parameters are interdependent, which support the use of a multi-objective approach for optimization in thermoacoustic.
Originality/value
The research output from this paper can be a valuable resource to support designers in building efficient thermoacoustic device. The research illustrates the use of a lexicographic optimization to provide more meaningful results describing the geometry of thermoacoustic regenerator. It applies the epsilon-constraint method (AUGMENCON) to solve a five-criteria mixed integer non-linear problem implemented in GAMS (GAM software).
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research was supported by the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, South Africa.
Citation
Tartibu, L.K., Sun, B. and Kaunda, M.A.E. (2015), "Optimal design study of thermoacoustic regenerator with lexicographic optimization method", Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, Vol. 13 No. 3, pp. 499-519. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-09-2012-0039
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited