Investigation on H2-fueled combustion characteristics and improvement of thermal performance in a micro-planar with arranged inlet-fins and bluff-bodies for micro-thermophotovoltaic

Abstract

To improve the energy conversion and efficiency, a micro-planar with arranged inlet-fins and bluff-bodies is proposed for H2-fueled micro thermophotovoltaic system. Effects of inlet-fins and bluff-bodies setting and combustor dimensions on combustion properties, heat transfer and energy conversion are investigated and analyzed under various operating conditions. The results illustrate that the flame stability and heat transfer in combustion chamber with arranged inlet-fins and bluff-bodies are enhanced, where heat recirculation is formed and radiation temperature is boosted. According to the field synergy analysis, coupling effects of inlet-fins and bluff-bodies on burning and thermal process can be improved by the optimization of bluff-bodies setting, and the flow limit is also expanded. There is a balance of the burner dimensions effects on the augment of radiation surface area and the reduction of radiation temperature for micro power generation. Particularly, the micro-planar with La/L = 0.62 contributes to achieve a higher radiation density, and the highest electrical output Pe = 3.16 W is adopted in combustor C2-0.62 at mf = 6.751 × 10−5 kg/s. It is beneficial to promote energy output of micro-planar and the energy efficiency of micro-thermophotovoltaic system.