Microcombustor-thermoelectric power generator for 10-50 watt applications

Daniel S. Marshall; Steve T. Cho

doi:10.1117/12.849886

28 April 2010 Microcombustor-thermoelectric power generator for 10-50 watt applications

Daniel S. Marshall, Steve T. Cho

Proceedings Volume 7683, Energy Harvesting and Storage: Materials, Devices, and Applications; 76830Z (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.849886
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2010, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

Fuel-based portable power systems, including combustion and fuel cell systems, take advantage of the 80x higher energy density of fuel over lithium battery technologies and offer the potential for much higher energy density power sources - especially for long-duration applications, such as unattended sensors. Miniaturization of fuel-based systems poses significant challenges, including processing of fuel in small channels, catalyst poisoning, and coke and soot formation. Recent advances in micro-miniature combustors in the 200Watt thermal range have enabled the development of small power sources that use the chemical energy of heavy fuel to drive thermal-to-electric converters for portable applications. CUBE Technology has developed compact Micro-Furnace combustors that efficiently deliver high-quality heat to optimized thermal-to-electric power converters, such as advanced thermoelectric power modules and Stirling motors, for portable power generation at the 10-50Watt scale. Key innovations include a compact gas-gas recuperator, innovative heavy fuel processing, coke- & soot-free operation, and combustor optimization for low balance-of-plant power use while operating at full throttle. This combustor enables the development of robust, high energy density, miniature power sources for portable applications.

Citation Download Citation

Daniel S. Marshall and Steve T. Cho "Microcombustor-thermoelectric power generator for 10-50 watt applications", Proc. SPIE 7683, Energy Harvesting and Storage: Materials, Devices, and Applications, 76830Z (28 April 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.849886

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