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Numerical investigations on a comparison between counterflow and coflow double-channel micro combustors for micro-thermophotovoltaic system

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  • Zuo, Wei
  • E, Jiaqiang
  • Peng, Qingguo
  • Zhao, Xiaohuan
  • Zhang, Zhiqing

Abstract

A high and uniform wall temperature on micro combustors is desirable for Micro-TPV system application. In this work, extensive numerical investigations of H2/air premixed combustion in the coflow and counterflow double-channel micro combustors are conducted under various H2 mass flow rates, H2/air equivalence ratios and solid materials. Moreover, in order to characterize the uniformity of wall temperature, a nonuniformity coefficient RT,w is introduced. Results show that the mean outer wall temperature of the coflow double-channel micro combustor is slightly higher than that of the counterflow double-channel micro combustor and the outer wall temperature nonuniformity of the counterflow double-channel micro combustor is greatly lower than that of the coflow double-channel micro combustor, meaning that the counterflow double-channel micro combustor has better thermal performance than the coflow double-channel micro combustor. More importantly, some critical values about the H2 mass flow rate, H2/air equivalence ratio and solid material are determined for keeping the better thermal performance of the counterflow double-channel micro combustor. This design offers us another way for assembling the single-channel micro combustor into the double-channel micro combustor.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:122:y:2017:i:c:p:408-419
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2017.01.079
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