Derivative Free Optimization Methods for Optimizing Stirrer Configurations

Bulent Karasozen(bulentmetu.edu.tr)
Omur Ugur(ougurmetu.edu.tr)
Michael Schaefer(schaeferfnb.tu-darmstadt.de)
Kerim Yapici(e130214metu.edu.tr)

Abstract: In this paper a numerical approach for the optimization of stirrer configurations is presented. The methodology is based on a flow solver, and a mathematical optimization tool, which are integrated into an automated procedure. The flow solver is based on the discretization of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations by means of a fully conservative finite-volume method for block-structured, boundary-fitted grids, for allowing a flexible discretization of complex stirrer geometries. Two derivative free optimization algorithms, the DFO and CONDOR are considered, they are implementations of trust region based derivative-free methods using multivariate polynomial interpolation. Both are designed to minimize smooth functions whose evaluations are considered to be expensive and whose derivatives are not available or not desirable to approximate. An exemplary application for a standard stirrer configuration illustrates the functionality and the properties of the proposed methods. It also gives a comparison of the two optimization algorithms.

Keywords: Numerical Optimization, Derivative-Free Optimization, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Parallel Computing

Category 1: Nonlinear Optimization (Bound-constrained Optimization )

Category 2: Applications -- Science and Engineering (Chemical Engineering )

Citation: to appear in European Journal of Operational Research

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Entry Submitted: 03/25/2007
Entry Accepted: 03/25/2007
Entry Last Modified: 03/25/2007

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