Design of shell-and-tube heat exchangers for multiple objectives using elitist non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm with termination criteria

In this work, Excel-based multi-objective optimization (EMOO) program, based on the elitist non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm, is improved by implementing two termination criteria: a Chi-squared test-based termination criterion and a novel termination criterion based on steady-state detection. The termination criteria were shown to perform reliably during the MOO of four constrained test functions. Then, the improved EMOO program was applied to the design of several shell-and-tube heat exchangers (STHE) from the literature; these STHE are simulated and then optimized using the EMOO program for two objectives: capital cost and operating cost. It provided better optimal results compared to those in the literature. The termination criteria performed reliably for MOO of STHE design, showing their applicability on industrial MOO problems.