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Combustion characteristics of a small-scale combustor with a percolated platinum emitter tube for thermophotovoltaics

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  • Li, Yueh-Heng
  • Chen, Guan-Bang
  • Cheng, Tsarng-Sheng
  • Yeh, Yean-Ling
  • Chao, Yei-Chin

Abstract

A small-scale combustor is one of the most important components in developing the small-scale thermophotovoltaic (TPV) power systems. In order to enhance the flame stabilization and to have a bright incandescent emitter, a platinum tube is used to serve as an emitter. However, a bright incandescent emitter is limited by the operating range of flow velocity and fuel concentration. In the present study, a novel combustion chamber design is proposed to overcome the critical heat loss and flame instability by using a percolated platinum tube as catalyst, emitter, and flame stabilizer. Besides, approaches of delivering fuel/air mixture inside and outside of the catalyst tube can meliorate the heat loss from the chamber wall. Experimental methodology is performed to verify the performance of the proposed percolated-platinum combustor as compared to a plain platinum combustor. In the plain platinum tube the flame only can be stabilized on the backward-facing step inside the tube, but in the percolated platinum tube the flame can be stabilized on the percolated hole inner and outer the tube. It appears that the catalytically induced combustion could be anchored on the percolated-platinum combustor in various conditions of fuel/air distribution and inlet flow velocity, and in the meantime could heat up the chamber wall to incandescent condition. Concept, design, and demonstration of the combustor are addressed and discussed in the paper.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Yueh-Heng & Chen, Guan-Bang & Cheng, Tsarng-Sheng & Yeh, Yean-Ling & Chao, Yei-Chin, 2013. "Combustion characteristics of a small-scale combustor with a percolated platinum emitter tube for thermophotovoltaics," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 150-157.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:61:y:2013:i:c:p:150-157
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2013.09.003
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    2. 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.
    3. Li, Yueh-Heng & Chen, Guan-Bang & Wu, Fang-Hsien & Hsieh, Hsiu-Feng & Chao, Yei-Chin, 2016. "Effects of carbon dioxide in oxy-fuel atmosphere on catalytic combustion in a small-scale channel," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 766-774.
    4. 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.
    5. 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.
    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. 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).
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    9. Daneshvar, Hoofar & Prinja, Rajiv & Kherani, Nazir P., 2015. "Thermophotovoltaics: Fundamentals, challenges and prospects," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 560-575.
    10. Li, Yueh-Heng & Hong, Jing-Ru, 2018. "Performance assessment of catalytic combustion-driven thermophotovoltaic platinum tubular reactor," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 211(C), pages 843-853.
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    13. Kim, Tae Young & Kim, Hee Kyung & Ku, Jae Won & Kwon, Oh Chae, 2017. "A heat-recirculating combustor with multiple injectors for thermophotovoltaic power conversion," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 174-181.

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