Publication: Design and simulation of power mems microcombustor
Date
2009-04-01
Authors
Ishak, Mohammad Zulfikar
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Abstract
The purpose of this study is to design and simulate a microscale combustor chamber for portable power generation by manipulating the energy stored in the hydrocarbons fuel. Electricity is generated by integrating the catalytic combustion with thermoelectric material. Various microcombustor dimensions were studied in order to optimize the combustion chamber efficiency. The microcmbustor model are developed and analyzed by using CoventorWare MemCFD analyzer to determine the velocity of reactant and thermal profile inside the combustion chamber. From analytical analysis, the microcombustor exhibit high heat loss by convection to the surrounding and analysis using Coventorware shows there are inconsistent velocity distribution across the combustion channel. To overcome these problems, thermal insulator is promoted to insulate the combustion chamber from heat losses by convection and fine metal screen (mixer) must be placed in the combustion chamber to induce uniform reactant flow through the microchannel. All the parameters and design considerations that influence the performance of the microcombustor are also discussed in detail for future experimental analysis.