Thermophotovoltaics-development status and parametric considerations for power applications

Author

Black, R.E. ; Baldasaro, P.F. ; Charache, G.W.

Author_Institution

Lockheed Martin, Schenectady, NY, USA

fYear

1999

fDate

Aug. 29 1999-Sept. 2 1999

Firstpage

639

Lastpage

644

Abstract

Technology advances in thermophotovoltaic (TPV) diodes and improvements in spectral control filters have enabled consideration of TPV for power applications. Low bandgap TPV diodes improve power density and spectral control at lower radiator temperatures (800/spl deg/C-1100/spl deg/C). Lower radiator temperatures enable a broader range of heat source and structural material options. Spectral control filters increase system efficiency by recuperation of photons. Finally, long-term reliability of the converter is enhanced as the energy conversion and recuperative spectral control occur "cold" at heat sink temperatures.

Keywords

direct energy conversion; optical filters; thermophotovoltaic cells; 800 to 1100 C; energy conversion; heat sink temperature; heat source; long-term reliability; low-bandgap TPV diodes; photon recuperation; power applications; power density; radiator temperature; spectral control; structural material; thermophotovoltaic diodes; Control systems; Diodes; Energy conversion; Filters; Heat sinks; Optical control; Photonic band gap; Power system reliability; Temperature control; Temperature distribution;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Thermoelectrics, 1999. Eighteenth International Conference on

Conference_Location

Baltimore, MD, USA

ISSN

1094-2734

Print_ISBN

0-7803-5451-6

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/ICT.1999.843469

Filename

843469