ABSTRACT
Search methods, which are based on selecting the best design from several alternative designs, are among the most widely used methods for optimizing thermal systems. A finite number of designs that satisfy the given requirements and constraints are generated and the design that optimizes the objective function is chosen. Though particularly suited to circumstances where the design variables take on discrete values, this approach can also be used for continuous functions, such as those considered in Chapter 8. A large number of search methods have been developed to handle different kinds of problems and to provide robust, versatile, and flexible means to optimize practical systems and processes.
