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Thermophotovoltaic Energy Conversion Development ProgramCompletely integrated thermophotovoltaic (TPV) power sources in the range of 100 to 500 watts are being developed. The technical approach taken in this project focuses on optimizing the integrated performance of the primary subsystems in order to yield high energy conversion efficiency and cost effectiveness. An important aspect of the approach is the use of a narrow band fibrous emitter radiating to a bandgap matched photovoltaic array to minimize thermal and optical recuperation requirements, as well as the non-recoverable heat losses. For the prototype system, fibrous ytterbia emitters radiating in a narrow band centered at 980 nm are matched with high efficiency silicon photoconverters. The integrated system includes a dielectric stack filter for optical energy recovery and a ceramic recuperator for thermal energy recovery. The prototype TPV system uses a rapid mix distributed fuel delivery system with controlled feeding of the fuel and heated air into a flame at the surface of the emitter. This makes it possible to operate at air preheat temperatures well above the auto-ignition temperature of the fuel thereby substantially increasing the system efficiency. The system has been operated with air preheat temperatures up to 1367 K and has produced a uniform narrow band radiation over the surface of the emitter with this approach. The design of the system is described and test data for the system and some of the key components are presented. The results from a system model, which show the impact of various parameters on system performance, are also discussed.
Document ID
19990021490
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Contractor Report (CR)
Authors
Shukla, Kailash
(Thermo Power Corp. Waltham, MA United States)
Doyle, Edward
(Thermo Power Corp. Waltham, MA United States)
Becker, Frederick
(Thermo Power Corp. Waltham, MA United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1998
Subject Category
Energy Production And Conversion
Report/Patent Number
E-11284
TR7020-003-98
NAS 1.26:208512
NASA/CR-1998-208512
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS3-27565
PROJECT: RTOP 632-1A-1A
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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