Topology Optimaization of the Geometry of a Three-Outlet Channel with Specified Outlet Flow Rates

In the present paper, the optimal geometry of a two-dimensional multi-channel with one inlet and three outlets is investigated at Re=10. In this study, the topology optimization based on a porosity method using lattice Boltzmann simulation is adopted to find the optimal layout by computing the sensitivity analysis of an objective function. In contrary to previous studies of the channel with constant width of the outlets, the average velocity of the outlets is maintained as the same while the energy dissipation is reduced by 26.04% in comparison of the results, showing the adavntages of changing in width of ducts rather than the change in their average velocities. In this case, the geometry conditions for the inlet duct including width and position of the duct, play an important role in the final design as the main goal of this research. Assuming that the duct width in the outlets changes linearly, the numerical results showed that the equality of inlet width with the largest outlet caused the lowest power loss for the flow. The final geometry was getting much smooth when the inlet was located in front of the outlet with the largest width however it cannot be definitely optimum. In order to obtain the lowest energy loss, the inlet should be parallel to the space between the two outlets with medium and large widths. A reduction of 23.18% of loss was found in this case rather than the inlet was set in front of the duct having the smallest size.