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Analysis of a high throughput n-dodecane fueled heterogeneous/homogeneous parallel plate microreactor for portable power conversion

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  • Tolmachoff, Erik D.
  • Allmon, William
  • Waits, C. Mike

Abstract

To date, conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy for portable power sources has primarily focused on available thermoelectric elements limited to low temperatures and, therefore, low Carnot efficiencies. With advances in thermoelectric (TE) and thermophotovoltaic (TPV) devices allowing higher hot side temperatures, there is an increasing need for small (cm3 scale, O(10–100) Wchemical), stable platforms to fully oxidize practical liquid fuels with little pressure drop at high (∼800–1000°C), uniform temperatures. Hybrid heterogeneous/homogeneous (HH) reactors provide a means to achieve this. The heterogeneous nature of HH reactors offers inherent stability against reaction extinction while homogeneous reactions are capable of fully converting the fuel; combined, the net effect of HH operation shows promise to both intensify and stabilize a reactor subject to high throughput and heat losses. In this work, we examine the operation of a dodecane fueled parallel plate microreactor with platinum-coated walls targeted for TPV applications. Increasing the confinement of the reactor increases the rate of heat and mass transport to the catalytic walls and, simultaneously the reactor temperature and homogeneous reaction rates. It is shown that, by tuning the reactor confinement, it may be possible to deliver the high, uniform temperatures required for efficient thermal-to-electric power conversion with low diffusivity tactical fuels. Simplified models provide insight into the thermal behavior of the reactor and the role of homogeneous dodecane decomposition on reactor performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Tolmachoff, Erik D. & Allmon, William & Waits, C. Mike, 2014. "Analysis of a high throughput n-dodecane fueled heterogeneous/homogeneous parallel plate microreactor for portable power conversion," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 111-118.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:128:y:2014:i:c:p:111-118
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.04.057
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bitnar, Bernd & Durisch, Wilhelm & Holzner, Reto, 2013. "Thermophotovoltaics on the move to applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 430-438.
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    3. Yang, Wenming & Chou, Siawkiang & Chua, Kianjon & An, Hui & Karthikeyan, Kumarasamy & Zhao, Xing, 2012. "An advanced micro modular combustor-radiator with heat recuperation for micro-TPV system application," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 749-753.
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    Cited by:

    1. Merotto, L. & Fanciulli, C. & Dondè, R. & De Iuliis, S., 2016. "Study of a thermoelectric generator based on a catalytic premixed meso-scale combustor," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 346-353.
    2. Fanciulli, C. & Abedi, H. & Merotto, L. & Dondè, R. & De Iuliis, S. & Passaretti, F., 2018. "Portable thermoelectric power generation based on catalytic combustor for low power electronic equipment," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(C), pages 300-308.
    3. Junjie Chen & Baofang Liu & Xuhui Gao & Deguang Xu, 2018. "RETRACTED: Production of Hydrogen by Methane Steam Reforming Coupled with Catalytic Combustion in Integrated Microchannel Reactors," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1, August.
    4. Junjie Chen & Longfei Yan & Wenya Song & Deguang Xu, 2018. "Catalytic Oxidation of Synthesis Gas on Platinum at Low Temperatures for Power Generation Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-24, June.
    5. Bhanuprakash Reddy Guggilla & Jack Perelman Camins & Benjamin Taylor & Smitesh Bakrania, 2021. "Examining Thermal Management Strategies for a Microcombustion Power Device," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-14, October.
    6. Mustafa, K.F. & Abdullah, S. & Abdullah, M.Z. & Sopian, K., 2017. "A review of combustion-driven thermoelectric (TE) and thermophotovoltaic (TPV) power systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 572-584.

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