Lessons learned on closed cavity thermophotovoltaic system efficiency measurements

Conference · Thu Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1998

OSTI ID:307873

Gethers, C K; Ballinger, C T; DePoy, D M ^[1]

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1. Lockheed Martin Corp., Schenectady, NY (United States)

Previous efficiency measurements have highlighted that to accurately measure and predict thermophotovoltaic (TPV) integrated cell or array efficiencies, a thorough understanding of the system is required. This includes knowledge of intrinsic diode and filter characteristics, radiative surface properties of all materials used within the cavity, and an intimate knowledge of the radiator/photon source. As a result of these and other lessons learned, the cavity test fixture used in earlier experiments was redesigned. To reduce radiator temperature gradients, the radiator was oversized and thickened, cavity walls were eliminated, the diode heat sink and shielding material were separated, and the cold side was redesigned to incorporate a steady state heat absorbed measurement technique. This redesigned test fixture provides an isothermal radiator and significantly enhances calorimetry capabilities. This newly designed cavity test fixture, in conjunction with the Monte Carlo Photon Transport code RACER-X, was used to improve and demonstrate the understanding of in-cavity TPV diode/module system efficiency testing. A single TPV diode was tested in this new fixture and yielded good agreement between measurements and predictions.

• Research Organization: Knolls Atomic Power Lab., Schenectady, NY (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC12-76SN00052
• OSTI ID: 307873
• Report Number(s): KAPL-P--000126; K--98170; CONF-981055--; ON: DE99001633
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
CALORIMETRY
DESIGN
ENERGY ABSORPTION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
MODIFICATIONS
TEST FACILITIES
THERMAL RADIATION
THERMOPHOTOVOLTAIC CONVERTERS