Fast Multi-objective Optimisation of a Micro-fluidic Device by Using Graphics Accelerators

Abstract The development of technology that uses widely available and inexpensive hardware for real- world cases is presented in this work. This is part of a long-term approach to minimise the impact of aviation on the environment and aims to enable the users both from industrial and academic background to design more optimal mixing devices. Here, a Multi-Objective Tabu Search is combined with a flow solver based on the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) so as to optimise and simulate the shape and the flow of a micro-reactor, respectively. Several geometrical arrangements of a micro-reactor are proposed so as to increase the mixing capability of the device while minimising the pressure losses and to investigate related flow features. The computational engineering design process is accelerated by harnessing the high computational power of Graphic Processor Units (GPUs). The ultimate aim is to effectively harvest and harness computing cycles while performing design optimisation studies that can deliver higher quality designs of improved performance within shorter time intervals.