US 11,722,092 B2
Two-stage combustor for thermophotovoltaic generator
Subir Roychoudhury, Madison, CT (US); Richard Mastanduno, Milford, CT (US); Francesco Macri, Farmington, CT (US); and Bruce Crowder, Hamden, CT (US)
Assigned to PRECISION COMBUSTION, INC., North Haven, CT (US)
Filed by PRECISION COMBUSTION, INC., North Haven, CT (US)
Filed on Dec. 14, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/80,923.
Application 18/080,923 is a division of application No. 16/798,630, filed on Feb. 24, 2020, granted, now 11,558,004.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/813,801, filed on Mar. 5, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2023/0124247 A1, Apr. 20, 2023
Int. Cl. H02S 10/30 (2014.01); H02S 10/10 (2014.01)
CPC H02S 10/30 (2014.12) [H02S 10/10 (2014.12)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A thermophotovoltaic generator comprising:
(1) a two-stage combustor; (2) a photon emitter disposed in thermal communication with the two-stage combustor; and (3) at least one photovoltaic diode cell disposed in radiative communication with the photon emitter;
wherein the two-stage combustor comprises:
(a) a partial oxidation reactor comprising the following components:
(i) a fuel inlet,
(ii) a first oxidant inlet,
(iii) a partial oxidation reaction zone comprising a mesh substrate having a partial oxidation catalyst supported thereon, the partial oxidation reaction zone being disposed in fluid communication with the fuel inlet and the first oxidant inlet, and
(iv) an outlet fluidly connected to the partial oxidation reaction zone; and
(b) a deep oxidation reactor comprising the following components:
(i) a premixer plenum having an upstream end and a downstream end; wherein at the upstream end the premixer plenum is fluidly connected to the outlet of the partial oxidation reactor; and further wherein the premixer plenum comprises a second oxidant inlet;
(ii) a heat spreader having an upstream end and a downstream end; wherein at the upstream end the heat spreader is fluidly connected to the downstream end of the premixer plenum; and further wherein the heat spreader comprises a porous matrix capable of withstanding a temperature greater than about 900° C.; and
(iii) an outlet pathway fluidly connected to the downstream end of the heat spreader.