Abstract: A miniature liquid combustor includes a double pre-heating structure. A method of operating the combustor comprises introducing liquid hydrocarbon fuel and air into a combustion chamber and stably combusting above a metal catalytic grid. The flames of the combustor first heating a third sleeve, the heated third sleeve gradually radiating the thermal energy to first and second fuel pre-heating chambers until the entire miniature liquid combustor is heated. The process continues to respectively implement second pre-heating of air introduced into the air pre-heating chambers and fuel introduced into the fuel pre-heating chambers before introducing them into the combustion chamber. The resulting combustor and combustion method enable double counter-flow pre-heating of air and fuel before being introduced into the combustion chamber, such that the air and the fuel are fully preheated before combustion.

Abstract: A miniature liquid combustor includes a double pre-heating structure. A method of operating the combustor comprises introducing liquid hydrocarbon fuel and air into a combustion chamber and stably combusting above a metal catalytic grid. The flames of the combustor first heating a third sleeve, the heated third sleeve gradually radiating the thermal energy to first and second fuel pre-heating chambers until the entire miniature liquid combustor is heated. The process continues to respectively implement second pre-heating of air introduced into the air pre-heating chambers and fuel introduced into the fuel pre-heating chambers before introducing them into the combustion chamber. The resulting combustor and combustion method enable double counter-flow pre-heating of air and fuel before being introduced into the combustion chamber, such that the air and the fuel are fully preheated before combustion.