Research On Micro-Thermophotovoltatic System (MTPV)and Optimization Analysis Based On The Grey System Theory

The Micro-Thermophotovoltatic System （MTPV） is a micro power unit withwhich heat energy is produced from combustion of gas fuel and then by the heatenergy the external surface of a micro radiator is motivated to yield ray radiation,which is received by a photoelectric element and converted into electrical energy. Ithas wide potential applications due to its advantages of high energy density, longoperating time and no movable parts. The micro combustor is the core component ofthe MTPV system, and its combustion has direct influence on the output efficiency ofthe MTPV system. Therefore in addition to continual improvement of conversionefficiency of the photoelectric element, systematic research on the micro combustor isnecessary to improve the output efficiency of the MTPV system.This article included experimental research on the micro combustor based onporous medium and optimization analysis of the introduction of grey system theory.By using the technology of internal combustion with porous medium, the microcombustor had high and uniform wall surface temperature, facilitating theimprovement of output efficiency of the MTPV system and the reduction of pollutionemission.Experimental research and analog analysis were performed for the influence oncombustion and photoelectric conversion by the factors including the structure ofmicro combustor （internal area-volume ratio）, the porosity of porous medium, materialradiation spectrum, and flow rate and mixture ratio of gas fuels. Research resultsshowed that, proper selection of structure and operating condition parametersimproved the operating performance of the combustor and optimized the wall surfacetemperature distribution of the combustor; adoption of suitable radiation material in acertain temperature range improved the thermophotovoltatic conversion efficiency ofthe MTPV system. The analysis of experiments and results provided theoretic supportfor future micro combustor development. The introduction of the grey system theory provided an effective analytic methodfor performance research of the micro combustor, and in particular the grey systemtheory could be used to provide accurate prediction for the positions inaccessible dueto instrument restriction or difficult processing. This article focused on prediction andanalysis of factors correlation, operating temperature range of Al₂O₃ceramics, lengthof the micro combustor, and processing position of internal sudden step, and yieldgood results.