A review of recent advances in thermophotovoltaics

Conference · Sun Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1996

OSTI ID:276847

Coutts, T J; Wanlass, M W; Ward, J S ^[1]; Johnson, S

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1. National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO (United States)

Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) generation of electricity is attracting attention because of advances in materials and devices and because of a widening appreciation of the large number of applications that may be addressed using TPV-based generators. The attractions include the wide range of fuel sources and the potentially high power density outputs. The two main approaches to TPV generators are (1) broadband radiators, coupled with converters with bandgaps in the range 0.4--0.7 eV, and (2) narrow-band emitters coupled with lower-cost silicon converters. The key issues in realizing a viable TPV system are the durability, efficiency, and properties of the radiant emitter; the recuperation of sub-bandgap photons; the optimization of the converter performance; and the recuperation of waste heat.

• OSTI ID: 276847
• Report Number(s): CONF-960513--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
BURNERS
HEAT RECOVERY EQUIPMENT
PHOTON EMISSION
RADIATORS
REFLECTIVE COATINGS
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
THERMOPHOTOVOLTAIC CONVERTERS
WASTE HEAT UTILIZATION
YTTERBIUM OXIDES