Multi-parameter estimation in combined conduction–radiation from a plane parallel participating medium using genetic algorithms

An inverse conduction–radiation problem for simultaneous estimation of the conduction–radiation parameter, the optical thickness and the boundary emissivity from a knowledge of the measured temperature profile for combined conduction and radiation in a plane parallel participating medium is presented. A finite volume method is used to solve the “forward” problem, wherein the temperature profile is determined by a solution of the governing equation for a given set of parameters. The inverse problem is treated as an optimization problem, wherein, we minimize the sum of square of residuals between the measured and estimated temperatures. Genetic algorithms are used for the search. The effects of “measurement” errors on the estimated parameters, which are introduced through a random perturbation, are investigated.