A numerical study of flame stabilization in single channel and counter-flow meso scale combustor

The micro power generation system is one of the potential solutions that provides better energy requirement for small devices as compared to conventional batteries. In recent years, numerous works have been conducted to enhance the combustion stability of meso and micro-scale combustors. The utilization of heat recirculation mechanism is one of the approaches to enhance the flame stabilization limits in micro combustors. In this study, flame stabilization in a single channel and counter-flow cylindrical tube combustors with wire mesh was numerically studied. The wire mesh was located between the unburned and burned gas regions of the tubes. A three-dimensional numerical simulation was performed to establish vital parameters such as gas, wire mesh and outer wall temperature. For the validation of the numerical results, the flame blowout and extinction limits were first obtained and compared with experimental results. The utilization of the numerical model enables the improvement on design of the combustor where a counter-flow tube combustor with wire mesh is proposed. Both gaseous and liquid fuels can be used as the primary source for the tube combustor. In a micro power generation system, a combustor with liquid fuel source is preferred as it solves the mobility issue