A Review on Flame Stabilization Technologies for UAV Engine Micro-Meso Scale Combustors: Progress and Challenges

Gurunadh Velidi and Chun Sang Yoo ()
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Gurunadh Velidi: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
Chun Sang Yoo: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 9, 1-44

Abstract: Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)s have unique requirements that demand engines with high power-to-weight ratios, fuel efficiency, and reliability. As such, combustion engines used in UAVs are specialized to meet these requirements. There are several types of combustion engines used in UAVs, including reciprocating engines, turbine engines, and Wankel engines. Recent advancements in engine design, such as the use of ceramic materials and microscale combustion, have the potential to enhance engine performance and durability. This article explores the potential use of combustion-based engines, particularly microjet engines, as an alternative to electrically powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems. It provides a review of recent developments in UAV engines and micro combustors, as well as studies on flame stabilization techniques aimed at enhancing engine performance. Heat recirculation methods have been proposed to minimize heat loss to the combustor walls. It has been demonstrated that employing both bluff-body stabilization and heat recirculation methods in narrow channels can significantly improve combustion efficiency. The combination of flame stabilization and heat recirculation methods has been observed to significantly improve the performance of micro and mesoscale combustors. As a result, these technologies hold great promise for enhancing the performance of UAV engines.

Keywords: flame stabilization; micro combustors; micro channel combustion; UAV combustor; bluff body; premixed combustion; combustion efficiency (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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