In　this　paper,　a　new　optimization　method　coupling　genetic　algorithm　(GA)　and　computational　fluid　dynamics　(CFD)　based　on　Windows　Socket　was　found　to　optimize　the　configurations　of　porous　insert　in　a　tube　for　heat　transfer　enhancement.　The　region　in　the　enhanced　tube　was　divided　into　several　layers　in　the　radial　direction.　The　porosity　of　porous　media　filled　in　each　layer　was　the　design　variable,　which　varies　from　0.5　to　1.0.　The　results　show　that　the　thermo-hydraulic　performance　of　the　enhanced　tube　can　be　improved　effectively　by　using　the　optimized　porous　insert,　particularly　using　the　optimized　multiple　layers　of　porous　insert.　However,　there　is　an　appropriate　layer　number　of　porous　insert　to　ensure　the　optimal　performance　of　the　enhanced　tube　for　a　given　set　of　parameters.　(C)　2015　Elsevier　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.