IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v228y2018icp1173-1181.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

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

Author

Listed:
  • Aravind, B.
  • Khandelwal, Bhupendra
  • Kumar, Sudarshan

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Aravind, B. & Khandelwal, Bhupendra & Kumar, Sudarshan, 2018. "Experimental investigations on a new high intensity dual microcombustor based thermoelectric micropower generator," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C), pages 1173-1181.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:228:y:2018:i:c:p:1173-1181
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.07.022
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261918310493
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.07.022?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Vijayan, V. & Gupta, A.K., 2010. "Combustion and heat transfer at meso-scale with thermal recuperation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(8), pages 2628-2639, August.
    2. Wan, Jianlong & Zhao, Haibo, 2017. "Dynamics of premixed CH4/air flames in a micro combustor with a plate flame holder and preheating channels," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 366-379.
    3. 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.
    4. Shirsat, V. & Gupta, A.K., 2011. "A review of progress in heat recirculating meso-scale combustors," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(12), pages 4294-4309.
    5. Zuo, Wei & E, Jiaqiang & Peng, Qingguo & Zhao, Xiaohuan & Zhang, Zhiqing, 2017. "Numerical investigations on a comparison between counterflow and coflow double-channel micro combustors for micro-thermophotovoltaic system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 408-419.
    6. Zuo, Wei & E, Jiaqiang & Liu, Haili & Peng, Qingguo & Zhao, Xiaohuan & Zhang, Zhiqing, 2016. "Numerical investigations on an improved micro-cylindrical combustor with rectangular rib for enhancing heat transfer," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 77-87.
    7. Ali, Haider & Yilbas, Bekir Sami & Al-Sharafi, Abdullah, 2017. "Innovative design of a thermoelectric generator with extended and segmented pin configurations," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 367-379.
    8. Yilmaz, Harun & Cam, Omer & Yilmaz, Ilker, 2017. "Effect of micro combustor geometry on combustion and emission behavior of premixed hydrogen/air flames," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 585-597.
    9. Wierzbicki, Teresa A. & Lee, Ivan C. & Gupta, Ashwani K., 2014. "Combustion of propane with Pt and Rh catalysts in a meso-scale heat recirculating combustor," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 350-356.
    10. He, Wei & Zhang, Gan & Zhang, Xingxing & Ji, Jie & Li, Guiqiang & Zhao, Xudong, 2015. "Recent development and application of thermoelectric generator and cooler," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 1-25.
    11. Vijayan, V. & Gupta, A.K., 2010. "Flame dynamics of a meso-scale heat recirculating combustor," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(12), pages 3718-3728, December.
    12. Shirsat, V. & Gupta, A.K., 2013. "Extinction, discharge, and thrust characteristics of methanol fueled meso-scale thrust chamber," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 375-392.
    13. 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.
    14. Chou, S.K. & Yang, W.M. & Li, J. & Li, Z.W., 2010. "Porous media combustion for micro thermophotovoltaic system applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(9), pages 2862-2867, September.
    15. Chou, S.K. & Yang, W.M. & Chua, K.J. & Li, J. & Zhang, K.L., 2011. "Development of micro power generators - A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(1), pages 1-16, January.
    16. Akhtar, Saad & Khan, Mohammed N. & Kurnia, Jundika C. & Shamim, Tariq, 2017. "Investigation of energy conversion and flame stability in a curved micro-combustor for thermo-photovoltaic (TPV) applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C), pages 134-145.
    17. Aranguren, P. & Astrain, D. & Rodríguez, A. & Martínez, A., 2015. "Experimental investigation of the applicability of a thermoelectric generator to recover waste heat from a combustion chamber," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 121-130.
    18. Alipoor, Alireza & Saidi, Mohammad Hassan, 2017. "Numerical study of hydrogen-air combustion characteristics in a novel micro-thermophotovoltaic power generator," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 199(C), pages 382-399.
    19. Akhtar, Saad & Kurnia, Jundika C. & Shamim, Tariq, 2015. "A three-dimensional computational model of H2–air premixed combustion in non-circular micro-channels for a thermo-photovoltaic (TPV) application," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 47-57.
    20. Shirsat, V. & Gupta, A.K., 2011. "Performance characteristics of methanol and kerosene fuelled meso-scale heat-recirculating combustors," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(12), pages 5069-5082.
    21. Hsu, Cheng-Ting & Huang, Gia-Yeh & Chu, Hsu-Shen & Yu, Ben & Yao, Da-Jeng, 2011. "Experiments and simulations on low-temperature waste heat harvesting system by thermoelectric power generators," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(4), pages 1291-1297, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. He, Ziqiang & Yan, Yunfei & Zhao, Ting & Zhang, Zhien & Mikulčić, Hrvoje, 2022. "Parametric study of inserting internal spiral fins on the micro combustor performance for thermophotovoltaic systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    2. Banerjee, Abhisek & Paul, Diplina, 2021. "Developments and applications of porous medium combustion: A recent review," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C).
    3. Hiranandani, Karan & Aravind, B. & Ratna Kishore, V. & Kumar, Sudarshan, 2020. "Development of a numerical model for performance prediction of an integrated microcombustor-thermoelectric power generator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    4. Abedi, H. & Migliorini, F. & Dondè, R. & De Iuliis, S. & Passaretti, F. & Fanciulli, C., 2019. "Small size thermoelectric power supply for battery backup," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    5. Elghool, Ali & Basrawi, Firdaus & Ibrahim, Thamir Khalil & Ibrahim, Hassan & Ishak, M. & Hazwan bin Yusof, Mohd & Bagaber, Salem Abdullah, 2020. "Multi-objective optimization to enhance the performance of thermo-electric generator combined with heat pipe-heat sink under forced convection," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    6. Aravind, B. & Hiranandani, Karan & Kumar, Sudarshan, 2020. "Development of an ultra-high capacity hydrocarbon fuel based micro thermoelectric power generator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).
    7. Wang, Hao & Peng, Qingguo & Tian, Xinghua & Yan, Feng & Wei, Depeng & Liu, Hui, 2024. "Experimental and numerical investigation on H2-fueled micro-thermophotovoltaic with CH4 and C3H8 blending in a tube fully/partially inserted porous media," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    8. Ren, Shoujun & Yang, Haolin & Jiang, Liqiao & Zhao, Daiqing & Wang, Xiaohan, 2020. "Stabilization characteristics and mechanisms in a novel tubular flame burner with localized stratified property," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    9. Aravind, B. & Khandelwal, Bhupendra & Ramakrishna, P.A. & Kumar, Sudarshan, 2020. "Towards the development of a high power density, high efficiency, micro power generator," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(C).
    10. Li, Guoneng & Zheng, Youqu & Guo, Wenwen & Zhu, Dongya & Tang, Yuanjun, 2020. "Mesoscale combustor-powered thermoelectric generator: Experimental optimization and evaluation metrics," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 272(C).
    11. E, Jiaqiang & Luo, Bo & Han, Dandan & Chen, Jingwei & Liao, Gaoliang & Zhang, Feng & Ding, Jiangjun, 2022. "A comprehensive review on performance improvement of micro energy mechanical system: Heat transfer, micro combustion and energy conversion," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PE).
    12. Zhao, Zhengyang & Wang, Wei & Zuo, Zhengxing & Kuang, Nianling, 2022. "Investigation on the flame characteristics of premixed propane/air in a micro opposed flow porous combustor," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(PA).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Aravind, B. & Khandelwal, Bhupendra & Ramakrishna, P.A. & Kumar, Sudarshan, 2020. "Towards the development of a high power density, high efficiency, micro power generator," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(C).
    2. Zuo, Wei & E, Jiaqiang & Hu, Wenyu & Jin, Yu & Han, Dandan, 2017. "Numerical investigations on combustion characteristics of H2/air premixed combustion in a micro elliptical tube combustor," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 1-12.
    3. Jiaqiang, E. & Zuo, Wei & Liu, Xueling & Peng, Qingguo & Deng, Yuanwang & Zhu, Hao, 2016. "Effects of inlet pressure on wall temperature and exergy efficiency of the micro-cylindrical combustor with a step," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 337-345.
    4. Akhtar, Saad & Khan, Mohammed N. & Kurnia, Jundika C. & Shamim, Tariq, 2017. "Investigation of energy conversion and flame stability in a curved micro-combustor for thermo-photovoltaic (TPV) applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C), pages 134-145.
    5. Aravind, B. & Hiranandani, Karan & Kumar, Sudarshan, 2020. "Development of an ultra-high capacity hydrocarbon fuel based micro thermoelectric power generator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).
    6. Zuo, Wei & E, Jiaqiang & Peng, Qingguo & Zhao, Xiaohuan & Zhang, Zhiqing, 2017. "Numerical investigations on a comparison between counterflow and coflow double-channel micro combustors for micro-thermophotovoltaic system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 408-419.
    7. 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.
    8. Zuo, Wei & E, Jiaqiang & Liu, Haili & Peng, Qingguo & Zhao, Xiaohuan & Zhang, Zhiqing, 2016. "Numerical investigations on an improved micro-cylindrical combustor with rectangular rib for enhancing heat transfer," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 77-87.
    9. Zhuang Kang & Zhiwei Shi & Jiahao Ye & Xinghua Tian & Zhixin Huang & Hao Wang & Depeng Wei & Qingguo Peng & Yaojie Tu, 2023. "A Review of Micro Power System and Micro Combustion: Present Situation, Techniques and Prospects," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-28, April.
    10. 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.
    11. Zuo, Wei & Zhang, Yuntian & Li, Qingqing & Li, Jing & He, Zhu, 2021. "Numerical investigations on hydrogen-fueled micro-cylindrical combustors with cavity for micro-thermophotovoltaic applications," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 223(C).
    12. E, Jiaqiang & Luo, Bo & Han, Dandan & Chen, Jingwei & Liao, Gaoliang & Zhang, Feng & Ding, Jiangjun, 2022. "A comprehensive review on performance improvement of micro energy mechanical system: Heat transfer, micro combustion and energy conversion," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PE).
    13. Guggilla, Bhanuprakash Reddy & Rusted, Alexander & Bakrania, Smitesh, 2019. "Platinum nanoparticle catalysis of methanol for thermoelectric power generation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(C), pages 155-162.
    14. Tang, Aikun & Deng, Jiang & Cai, Tao & Xu, Yiming & Pan, Jianfeng, 2017. "Combustion characteristics of premixed propane/hydrogen/air in the micro-planar combustor with different channel-heights," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 635-642.
    15. Peng, Qingguo & Yang, Wenming & E, Jiaqiang & Li, Shaobo & Li, Zhenwei & Xu, Hongpeng & Fu, Guang, 2021. "Effects of propane addition and burner scale on the combustion characteristics and working performance," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 285(C).
    16. Tang, Aikun & Cai, Tao & Deng, Jiang & Zhao, Dan & Huang, Qiuhan & Zhou, Chen, 2019. "Experimental study on flame structure transitions of premixed propane/air in micro-scale planar combustors," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 558-570.
    17. Peng, Qingguo & Wu, Yifeng & E, Jiaqiang & Yang, Wenming & Xu, Hongpeng & Li, Zhenwei, 2019. "Combustion characteristics and thermal performance of premixed hydrogen-air in a two-rearward-step micro tube," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 242(C), pages 424-438.
    18. He, Ziqiang & Yan, Yunfei & Zhao, Ting & Zhang, Zhien & Mikulčić, Hrvoje, 2022. "Parametric study of inserting internal spiral fins on the micro combustor performance for thermophotovoltaic systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    19. Zuo, Wei & Li, Qingqing & He, Zhu & Li, Yawei, 2020. "Numerical investigations on thermal performance enhancement of hydrogen-fueled micro planar combustors with injectors for micro-thermophotovoltaic applications," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 194(C).
    20. Cai, Tao & Tang, Aikun & Zhao, Dan & Zhou, Chen & Huang, Qiuhan, 2020. "Flame dynamics and stability of premixed methane/air in micro-planar quartz combustors," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:228:y:2018:i:c:p:1173-1181. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.