Progress in small-scale combustion

Abstract

This article briefly reviews the recent works related to small-scale combustion and its potential impact into combustion science and engineering is presented. Followed by a simple description of the scale effect on combustion to highlight its “unique” feature, past related works are then summarized. The impact of heat recirculation appearing in combustion systems, which is the most prominent feature of a micro- or small-scale combustion system, is focused upon and is understood that exactly the same strategy promising better combustion performance is confirmed irrespective of flame type (either premixed or non-premixed). With respect to this, paying attention to the entire combustor design, to optimize within the target working range is a crucial matter when micro-scale combustion is adopted. Potential subjects to be covered to further promote these aspects in this field are then presented.