Influence of hole size and number on pressure drop and energy output of the micro-cylindrical combustor inserting with an internal spiral fin with holes

Targeting at optimizing the energy output and thermal performance of the micro combustor in the application of micro-thermophotovoltaic (MTPV) systems, but the introduction of spiral fins brings higher pressure loss. Thus, a novel design of the micro combustor with the spiral fin opening is developed. The influence of inlet velocities, the hole size and hole number of the spiral fin on the pressure drop and thermal characteristic and energy characteristic are numerically investigated. It's illustrated that the spiral fin opening is conductive to decrease the pressure loss and optimize the outer wall temperature distribution, but has a negative influence on increasing the mean outer wall temperature of the micro combustor and energy output in the MTPV systems. With the increase of the hole size and hole number of the spiral fin, the pressure loss decreases and the outer wall temperature uniformity increases significantly, while the mean outer wall temperature drops and total energy output decreases. The better performance obtains when the micro combustor with spiral fin with four 0.5 mm holes. (c) 2021 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study found that the spiral fin opening can reduce pressure loss and optimize outer wall temperature distribution, but has a negative impact on the mean outer wall temperature and energy output of the micro combustor and MTPV systems. With the increase of the hole size and hole number of the spiral fin, the pressure loss decreases, outer wall temperature uniformity improves significantly, but the mean outer wall temperature and total energy output decrease.