Effects of injection strategies on thermal performance of a novel micro planar combustor fueled by hydrogen

Abstract

As a high and uniform wall temperature is desired for thermophotovoltaic applications, a novel micro planar combustor with multi inlets and outlets is designed in this work. Effects of injection strategies on thermal performance of the novel micro planar combustor fueled by hydrogen are analyzed and discussed. It is found that there are two straight flames under Injection Strategy A (Coflow mode), while there are two curved flames under Injection Strategy B and C (Counterflow mode), which is negative to the flame stabilization. In addition, the flame interactions under Injection Strategy B and C are much stronger than that under Injection Strategy A which benefits flame stabilization. Moreover, favorable and unfavorable effects of flame interactions under Injection Strategy B and C on flame stabilization are analyzed. Furthermore, the effects of inlet velocity, hydrogen/air equivalence ratio and solid wall materials on the thermal performance of the micro planar combustor are numerically examined under different injection strategies, the application conditions of the injection strategies are determined. This work will provide us significant suggestions for micro-thermophotovoltaic applications. • A micro planar combustor with multi inlets and outlets is developed. • Effects of injection strategies on thermal performance are analyzed and discussed. • Favorable and unfavorable effects of flame interactions on flame stabilization are analyzed. • The application conditions of the optimal injection strategy are proposed.