Energy conversion efficiency improvement studies on the hydrogen-fueled micro planar combustor with multi-baffles for thermophotovoltaic applications

In order to improve the energy conversion efficiency of micro thermophotovoltaic (MTPV) system, in this work, a micro planar combustor with multi-baffles is designed for thermophotovoltaic applications. Effects of baffle-tosidewall distance, baffle-to-inlet distance, baffle length and baffle number on the performance of the micro planar combustor are numerically investigated. Results demonstrate that it is better to place the multi-baffles at the middle of combustion chamber for improving the total energy output and total energy conversion efficiency of MTPV system. However, it cannot be ignored that the pressure drop of micro planar combustor is greatly increased. Meanwhile, with the increment of baffle-to-inlet distance and baffle length, the outer wall temperature can be higher and more uniform. Furthermore, when the total length of baffles is a constant, more baffle number is good for obtaining higher outer wall temperature, as well as the total energy output and total energy conversion efficiency of MTPV system can be improved.