Thermodynamic and entropy generation analyses of Telsa-valve structured meso-scale combustors fuelled with hydrogen for thermophotovoltaic applications
Hui Rong, Dan Zhao
Abstract
The present work numerically examed the effects of hydrogen volume flow rates (Qv) and equivalence ratios (Φ) on thermal performances of meso-scale combustors structured with Tesla-vale type flow channels. Four distinct Tesla-valve configurations are implemented and then subsequently compared. The reverse-flow Tesla valve with counter-flow combustor (RC) structure shows a remarkable improvement of 72.6 % to the combustor wall temperature at Qv = 100 mL/min. The diodicity (Di) of the Tesla valve is found to be increased with a higher Qv, and a lower Φ contributes to a higher Di. Besides, Di is decreased when Φ goes up, stabilizing at Φ = 0.9. The reverse-flow Tesla valve exhibits a more uniform pressure distribution and entropy production than the forward-flow Tesla valve. At Φ = 0.9, the hydrogen-to-air ratio maximized heat release, producing the highest entropy. Tesla-valve structured combustors demonstrate near complete combustion before Φ reaching 0.9, the combustion efficiency (ηcombustion) is gradually decreased after Φ getting to 1.0. The RC construction achieved maximum combustion efficiency under conditions of insufficient oxygen. This present study demonstrates the feasibility of enhancing thermal and overall performances of meso-scale combustors structured with Tesla-valve channels, and revealing the key parameters effects on the combustion characteristics in these combustors.