Recent experimental and theoretical studies of heat-recirculating combustors have demonstrated the importance of thermal conduction through the structure of the combustor on its performance. In particular, this solid-phase heat conduction inevitably degrades performance via transfer of heat out of the reaction zone to the surrounding structure, which is then lost to ambient. This in turn leads to a reduction of reaction temperature and thus sustainable reaction rates. By use of platinum-based catalysts in spiral counterflow “Swiss roll” heat-recirculating combustors, we have been able to sustain nearly complete combustion of propane-air mixtures at temperatures less than 150 °C using combustors built with titanium (thermal conductivity (k) of 7 W/m°C). Such low temperatures suggest that high-temperature polymers (e.g. polyimides, k ∼ 0.3 W/m°C) may be employed as a combustor material. With this motivation, a polyimide Swiss roll combustor was built using CNC milling and tested over a range of Reynolds numbers with propane fuel and Pt catalyst. The combustor survived prolonged testing at temperatures up to 450 °C. Reynolds numbers as low as 2 supported combustion, with thermal power as low as 3 watts and temperatures as low as 72 °C. These initial results suggest that polymer combustors may prove more practical for meso- or microscale thermochemical devices due to their lower thermal conductivity and ease of manufacturing. Applications to electric power generation via single-chamber solid oxide fuel cells are discussed.
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ASME 2007 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition
November 11–15, 2007
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- ASME
ISBN:
0-7918-4300-9
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Plastic Mesoscale Combustors/Heat Exchangers
Lindsay L. Sanford,
Lindsay L. Sanford
Washington State University, Pullman, WA
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Shuo-Yu J. Huang,
Shuo-Yu J. Huang
Washington State University, Pullman, WA
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ChienShung Lin,
ChienShung Lin
Washington State University, Pullman, WA
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Jungmin Lee,
Jungmin Lee
Washington State University, Pullman, WA
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Jeongmin Ahn,
Jeongmin Ahn
Washington State University, Pullman, WA
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Paul D. Ronney
Paul D. Ronney
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
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Lindsay L. Sanford
Washington State University, Pullman, WA
Shuo-Yu J. Huang
Washington State University, Pullman, WA
ChienShung Lin
Washington State University, Pullman, WA
Jungmin Lee
Washington State University, Pullman, WA
Jeongmin Ahn
Washington State University, Pullman, WA
Paul D. Ronney
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Paper No:
IMECE2007-42043, pp. 141-145; 5 pages
Published Online:
May 22, 2009
Citation
Sanford, LL, Huang, SJ, Lin, C, Lee, J, Ahn, J, & Ronney, PD. "Plastic Mesoscale Combustors/Heat Exchangers." Proceedings of the ASME 2007 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition. Volume 6: Energy Systems: Analysis, Thermodynamics and Sustainability. Seattle, Washington, USA. November 11–15, 2007. pp. 141-145. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2007-42043
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