A parametric study of TPV systems and the importance of thermal management in system design and optimization

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

OSTI ID:163416

Schroeder, K L; Rose, M F; Burkhalter, J E ^[1]

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1. Auburn Univ., AL (United States)

This paper presents a parametric study of two selective emitter type TPV systems. These systems are based on the use of matched Ytterbia-Silicon and Erbia-Indium Gallium Arsenide emitter photovoltaic configurations. Experimental data (from various authors) is used to establish the thermodynamic requirements for a kilowatt power generation system. These requirements are then used as the basis for the parametric model of the thermodynamic system. A self consistent set of equations is then used to determine system parameters as a function of the component or elemental parameters, and system heat loss. Of the two systems evaluated, the Erbia-InGaAs configuration had the higher overall efficiency with a value of 25.3%. Additionally, the study demonstrates the importance of thermal management in obtaining optimum system efficiencies and establishes the need for heat recuperation and diffusion type burners.

• OSTI ID: 163416
• Report Number(s): CONF-950729--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
COMBUSTION
COMBUSTION HEAT
ENERGY GAP
ENERGY MANAGEMENT
GALLIUM ARSENIDES
INDIUM ARSENIDES
JET ENGINE FUELS
PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS
PHOTON EMISSION
SILICON
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
THERMAL EFFICIENCY
THERMOPHOTOVOLTAIC CONVERTERS
YTTERBIUM OXIDES