Combustion powered thermophotovoltaic emitter system

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:163403

McHenry, R S; Harper, M J; Lindler, K W ^[1]

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1. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD (United States). Naval Architecture, Ocean and Marine Engineering

The United States Naval Academy, under interagency agreement with the Department of Energy (DOE), has recently completed an engineering design project for a high temperature thermophotovoltaic (TPV) photon emitter. The design was constrained by the physical geometry and photovoltaic cell type of the DOE TPV generator so that a cylindrical emitter at 1,756 K (2,700 F) was dictated. The final apparatus was to be portable, completely self contained, and was to incorporate cycle efficiency optimization such as exhaust stream recuperation. Through computer modeling and prototype experimentation, a methane fueled emitter system was designed from structural ceramic materials to fulfill the DOE requirements. This paper outlines the engineering design process, discusses obstacles and solutions encountered, and presents the final design. The concept of thermophotovoltaic energy conversion dates to the 1960s and has been the subject of broad research effort. This is a direct energy conversion process that converts thermal energy into electricity with only photonic coupling. The process offers high theoretical efficiency, versatile application as a primary or secondary power cycle, and a number of operational advantages resulting from the lack of a working substance or moving parts.

• OSTI ID: 163403
• Report Number(s): CONF-950729--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
BLACKBODY RADIATION
COMBUSTION
COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ENERGY GAP
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NATURAL GAS
PHOTON EMISSION
PORTABLE EQUIPMENT
SILICON CARBIDES
SPECIFICATIONS
TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION
THERMOPHOTOVOLTAIC CONVERTERS
ZIRCONIUM OXIDES