Experimental Research on the Effect of Materials of One Turn Swiss Roll Combustor on Its Thermal Performance as a Heat Generating Device

Abstract

Looking at the present need of small scale power generation to run devices like small thrusters, cellular phones, laptops etc. attempts were made to develop small scale power generating devices. But issues increases with downsizing of the small scale power generators. Present work mainly focuses on the experimental investigations carried out on different materials (i.e. Aluminum, copper, stainless steel and brass) which were manufactured as one turn Swiss roll combustor. Studies were carried out on the Swiss roll combustor for fixed depth of 20mm. Reactants channel dimension and Products channel dimensions were 2mm and 3mm respectively. During the experiments conducted parameters varied were equivalence ratio and materials of the combustor. Parameters measured during the experiments were flame stability limits, external surface temperatures, combustion space/room temperatures. External surface heat loss to atmosphere was calculated for different values of equivalence ratio. Flame was observed stable successfully during all the experiments conducted. Heat transferred on all the external surfaces from the combustion space can be used as heat input to thermal electric devices. Higher heat content values were observed for SS material and lower values for Br material. Equivalence ratio equal to 1.068 was found to be the best at which maximum temperatures and heat content observed for all the materials. Maximum total heat content of 39.21W was observed for SS material. Lean limit temperatures were observed to be higher compared to rich limit temperatures.