Effect of Different Technologies on Performance Enhancement of the Micro-Combustor for the Micro Thermophotovoltaic Application: A Review

Abstract

With the improvement and development of micro-mechanical manufacturing technology, people can produce an increasing variety of micro-electromechanical systems in recent years, such as micro-satellite thrusters, micro-sensors, micro-aircrafts, micro-medical devices, micro-pumps, and micro-motors. At present, these micro-mechatronic systems are driven by traditional energy power systems, but these traditional energy power systems have such disadvantages as short endurance time, large size, and low energy density. Therefore, efforts were made to study micro-energy dynamical systems with small size, light gravity, high density and energy, and long duration so as to provide continuous and reliable power for these systems. In general, the micro-thermal photoelectric system not only has a simple structure, but also no moving parts. The micro-thermal photoelectric system is a micro-energy power system with good application prospects at present. However, as one of the most important structural components of micro-thermal photoelectric systems, the microburner, is the key to realize the conversion of fuel chemical energy to electric energy in micro-thermal photoelectric system. The studies of how to improve the flame stability and combustion efficiency are very necessary and interesting. Thus, some methods to improve the performance of micro-burners were introduced and summarized systematically, hoping to bring some convenience to researchers in the field.

A Review on Flame Stabilization Technologies for UAV Engine Micro-Meso Scale Combustors: Progress and Challenges

“…To develop efficient systems, researchers need to address the thermal effects, flame wall-interactions, and combustion dynamics of micro combustors, which have a limited combustion residence time that may result in significant heat losses due to wall interactions. While there has been significant progress in developing micro combustors over the past decade [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12], summarized in several review articles, this review focuses on the evolution of UAV combustors and provides insight into the development of current flame stabilization techniques. It also highlights the developments in the literature on flame stabilization, addressing heat recirculation, and turbulence modeling, which are critical to the development of efficient and effective micro combustors.…”