Analysis and Optimization of Heat Enhancement for Hydrogen Fueled Micro-Pin-Fin Planar Combustor for Thermophotovoltaic Application Using Response Surface Methodology

Micro-thermophotovoltaic (MTPV) systems are a promising technology for converting heat to electricity, but optimizing radiation efficiency and combustor design remains challenging. This study addresses one of the key challenges in designing MTPV systems by enhancing the thermal performance such as radiation heat transfer efficiency of a hydrogen-fueled micro-pin-fin planar combustor which is an integral critical component of the MTPV system. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the heat performance by maximizing the radiation efficiency. The findings indicate that the micro-pin-fin combustor shows superior heat transfer performance compared to the free flame combustor (FFC) achieving a maximum wall temperature of 1345 K compared to the FFC’s 1265 K. At equivalence ratio (ER) of 0.8, combustion efficiency reaches 98.7% against 95.8% for the FFC. The fins expand the combustion area, enhance blow off limits and increase heat flux density with increasing flow rates. To attain a radiation heat transfer efficiency of 25.42%, the optimal condition for MTPV performance is a micro-pin-fin combustor with a fin length of 1.6 mm and inlet velocity of 4 m/s under stoichiometric condition. These parameters improve heat transfer coefficients (160 W/m2K) and system stability, offering critical insights for microcombustor design. The findings highlight the micro-pin-fin combustor’s potential to advance MTPV technology, providing a foundation for future research in high-efficiency thermophotovoltaic applications