Numerical Simulation Of Porous Media Combustor For Micro Thermophotovoltaic System

Micro power electro-mechanical systems (Power MEMS) have a bright prospect in a range of automobile, electro-mechanical, aviation and military. The research on power MEMS with high power density is of great significance to the development of our country’s science, technology and economy.Following the review to the state and research trend of micro power systems around the world, a novel power MEMS concept, a micro thermophotovoltaic (TPV) system is widely and deeply studied. Micro-combustor is the key component of micro-TPV systems. The combustion in micro combustor with porous media inside is studied in this project. both by numerical simulation and experimental test. The following conclusions can be obtained:(1) The effect of porous media on micro scale combustion is studied. The experimental results indicate the application of porous media could improve the temperature distribution along the wall of micro combustor and increase the combustion efficiency effectively.(2) Based on the previous research results on micro-cylindrical thin wall combustor, Flow, heat transfer, radiation and combustion models are built for the micro combustor with porous media inside and corresponding simulation work is carried out. The simulated results indicate that the porous media could prolong the residence time of the mixed gas in the combustor and improve combustion status. Its good capability of heat storage, heat transfer and radiation can not only increase the temperature along the micro-combustor wall, but also decrease the temperature gradient.(3) The effect on the temperature distribution along the wall of micro-combustor from the physical quantities of porosity, hydrogen/oxygen mixture ratio, mixed gas flux and porous media materials is studied. The optimum combination of the parameters is gained.The experimental and simulated results indicate that the application of porous media in micro combustor could improve combustion state and increase the temperature distribution along the wall of micro combustor effectively, which is very useful for micro thermophotovoltaic system application.