Numerical optimization oh heat transfer in tree-like assemblies of fins

The aim of this work was to study the heat transfer performance of T-shaped and Y-shaped assemblies of fins. Y and T shape elements represent tree-shaped structures that promise a more homogeneous distribution of transport phenomena. Literature offers a large variety of architecture optimization of such assemblies, and they have been adopted in several applications in order to improve the performance of fluid networks and heat exchangers. In this work, T and Y-shaped fins are initially treated in the context of pure heat conduction, then they have been studied also in forced convection environment. The thermal performance is investigated for a large variety of geometries, highlighting also the effects that several design parameters have on the search for optimal constructs.