Energy Analysis of n-Dodecane Combustion in a Hetero/Homogeneous Heat-Recirculating Microreactor for Portable Power Applications

[摘要] An energy analysis is presented for n-dodecane/air combustion in a heat recirculating Inconel microreactor under vacuum conditions. Microreactor channels are partially coated with platinum enabling operating with coupled heterogeneous and homogeneous reactions. The radiant efficiency, important for thermophotovoltaic energy conversion, was found to decrease from 57% to 52% over 5 different runs covering 377 min of operation. A similar decrease in combustion efficiency was observed with 6%-8% energy lost to incomplete combustion and 5%- 6% lost through sensible heat in the exhaust. The remaining thermal loss is from unusable radiation and conduction through inlet and outlet tubing. Changes in the Inconel microreactor geometry and emissivity properties were observed.

[发布机构] US Army Research Laboratory, 2800 Powder Mill Road, 20783, United States^1;Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, 1 Administration Circle, China Lake; CA; 93555, United States^2

[效力级别] 能源学

[关键词] Combustion efficiencies;Energy analysis;Homogeneous reaction;Incomplete combustion;Portable power applications;Radiant efficiency;Thermophotovoltaic energies;Vacuum condition