Performance Analysis of Household LPG Burner Using Porous Media

The present report shows the performance analysis of a household LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) burner incorporated with porous media consisting of metal balls and metal chips. The thermal efficiencies of a conventional household LPG burner with and without the usage of porous media were compared. With the usage of porous media, the maximum thermal efficiency of the burner was found to be 72.2% which is generally in the range of 64-67% for a conventional LPG burner. Similarly, the temperature distribution across the burner surface was found to be more uniform when porous media was used. The temperature difference across the burner surface in normal condition was around 300 degreesC whereas using porous media it was decreased to around 100 degreesC. Also, the energy cost was found to be less with the use of porous media in the burner. A maximum 5.3% saving in energy cost was found with the use of porous media.