Experimental investigations on a new high intensity dual microcombustor based thermoelectric micropower generator

Abstract

A new concept of dual microcombustor based thermoelectric micropower generator with high power density (∼0.14 mW/mm3) and high conversion efficiency (4.66%) is reported in this work. A new configuration with a dual microcombustor system is experimentally investigated with two thermoelectric modules and operates with liquefied petroleum gas as fuel. The dual microcombustor is fabricated using a rectangular aluminium metal block and detailed investigations on flame stability limits and thermal characteristics were carried out. Dual microcombustor configuration helps to significantly improve the flame stability limits and thermal characteristics over the single combustor configuration due to increased flame-surface interaction and enhanced heat recirculation through solid walls. Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm is applied to achieve a maximum power output of 4.52 W with a maximum conversion efficiency of 4.66%. The application of porous media significantly helped improve the upper flame stability limits with a maximum conversion efficiency of 4.32%, and 4.66%, at ϕ = 1 and 0.9 respectively at 10 m/s mixture velocity. The system compactness and high output power with significantly improved conversion efficiency shows the possibility of its application in various portable micro-scale power generators for remote, stand-alone, military and aerospace applications.