[THB]

Hi there,

I have recently set up a joule heating problem within (Autodesk) CFD which I am now looking to optimize from a design perspective. The problem can be simplified and summarized as follows:

A metal plate is heated up at its two ends via joule heating. From one side, the plate is cooled via inhomogenous cooling air, resulting in a temperature gradient across it. I would now like to adjust the plate thickness locally, so that the change in heating due to joule heating cancels out the inhomogenous air cooling and therefore results in a homogenous temperature distribution across the plate. Below you can find a highly simplified sketch of the problem.


Does anyone have an idea how an optimization of the plate thickness could be achieved in order to each a uniform temperature? Ideally I am looking to find some sort of self-optimization method. I am open to explore other software options, though I would prefer to use Autodesk CFD or freeware. I know that Comsol has an optimization module, however the license fee is a bit high.