Abstract. A micro-scale catalytic combustor fueled by butane was investigated. High-precision ceramic tape-casting technology was adopted for developing a three-dimensional structure of the combustor with embedded heat exchange channels. Nano-porous alumina fabricated through anodic oxidation of aluminum layers was employed for the support of Pd catalyst. Combustion experiments were carried out in a solder bath to keep the catalyst temperature constant. Complete fuel conversion for a n-butane flow rate of 5.0 sccm has been achieved at 390 °C corresponding to 100 MW m⁻³ heat generation. Reaction constants for catalytic combustion on the Pd/nano-porous alumina were determined with the aid of a 1D plug flow model. Those parameters were successfully combined with a CFD analysis to investigate the detailed transport phenomena and to predict the performance of the combustor at higher temperature. It was also shown in a preliminary experiment in air that the reaction can be self-sustained at 425 °C with the n-butane flow rate of 15 sccm.

Print publication: Issue 9 (September 2006)
Received 20 February 2006, in final form 31 May 2006
Published 9 August 2006