Modeling Convection Coefficients With Genetic Algorithms

Natural convection is an important mode of heat transfer in many fields. Convection coefficient, Nusselt number Nu, is usually modeled as a function of Rayleigh number Ra, which describes the conditions that affect convection. Inclination and spacing are important parameters of stacked cylinders. Of the latest models for two-cylinder array includes both inclination θ and spacing d as parameters (Ji, et al 1998). The coefficients were obtained from experimental data by an empirical combination of linear regression and exponential function fitting. This paper uses GA to seek for better coefficients.