There is a great demand for micro electromechanical systems in various chemical and aerospace industries. This invention is an innovative method to use combustion as a source for portable power generation at a micro/meso scale for widespread applications. Combustion driven power sources offer many promising advantages over the conventional electrochemical batteries. In addition, this invention has a number of unique technical features that enhance its performance.
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The combustor is very environmentally friendly because it is more energy-efficient in comparison to conventional electrochemical batteries used for similar purposes. It is also infinitely rechargeable, cutting down on the amount of disposable chemical waste.
- A backward facing step combustor with multiple steps and a provision of heat recirculation is adopted for flame stabilization
- There are three sets of such multiple backward facing steps that are arranged in parallel at a gap of 7 mm each, leading to three combustion zones.
- As the fuel-air mixture flows from the inlet side, it is divided equally into three sets of combustors. This reduces the total mixture velocity and 33 % of total mixture is fed to each combustor.
- The hot combustion products are then channeled through seven rectangular slots provided in the top and bottom surfaces of the combustor. The thermoelectric modules are mounted directly above these slots on the top and bottom sides of the combustor for power generation.
- Improved Performance Viz a Viz Batteries: Combustion driven power sources offer promising advantages over the conventional electrochemical batteries, viz. higher energy densities, lower weight, short recharging time, limitless number of rechargeable cycles, environment-friendly operation.
- Direct Contact between module wafers and the exhaust gas results in a 16 times higher heat transfer than the conventional combustor walls case due to the elimination of the extra surface conductivity and contact resistance.
- Three Combustion Zones results in increased overall combustion intensity as compared to the single flame combustion and enhanced overall thermal performance, and reduction in fuel-air mixture flow rate due to division into three combustors resulting in enhanced upper flame stability limit.
- Recirculation of exhaust gasses helps preheat the fresh charge to enhance the upper flame stability limits further.
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Prototype demonstration and/or pilot scale system validation in relevant environment (TRL 6).
Micro satellite thrusters, Micro Electrical and Mechanical Systems (MEMS), Chemical Sensing, and Micro Air Vehicles (MAV).
This invention can be put to use in any device where power is required to be generated at a small scale and portably. This can be in drones and other UAVs, Micro Air Vehicles (MAV), Micro satellite thrusters, Micro Electrical and Mechanical Systems (MEMS), Chemical Sensing