A simple parametric study of TPV system efficiency and output power density including a comparison of several TPV materials

Journal Article · Thu Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1996 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.49695· OSTI ID:285283

Gray, J L; El-Husseini, A ^[1]

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1. School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-1285 (United States)

This paper presents a parametric study of thermophotovoltaic (TPV) system efficiency and output power density based upon a simple model of the TPV system. The efficiencies presented here are based on thermodynamic limits. Some issues relating to the choice of TPV materials are considered. It is shown that the optimum TPV cell band gap depends not only on the emitter spectrum, but on the type and effectiveness of the spectral selection. Trade-offs between efficiency and output power are also illustrated. In addition, issues associated with creating a more detailed TPV system model are discussed. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Institute of Physics.}

• OSTI ID: 285283
• Report Number(s): CONF-9507247--
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 358; ISSN 0094-243X; ISSN APCPCS
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
BLACKBODY RADIATION
CARNOT CYCLE
CARRIER DENSITY
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY GAP
POWER DISTRIBUTION
POWER SPECTRA
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
SPECTRAL REFLECTANCE
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
THERMOPHOTOVOLTAIC CONVERTERS