Thermophotovoltaic emitter material selection and design

Technical Report · Tue Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1997

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/319658· OSTI ID:319658

Saxton, P C; Moran, A L; Harper, M J; Lindler, K W ^[1]

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1. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD (United States)

Thermophotovoltaics (TPV) is a potentially attractive direct energy conversion technology. It reduces the need for complex machinery with moving parts and maintenance. TPV generators can be run from a variety of heat sources including waste heat for smaller scale operations. The US Naval Academy`s goal was to build a small experimental thermophotovoltaic generator powered by combustion gases from a General Electric T-58 helicopter gas turbine. The design of the generator imposes material limitations that directly affect emitter and structural materials selection. This paper details emitter material goals and requirements, and the methods used to select suitable candidate emitter materials for further testing.

• 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: 319658
• Report Number(s): KAPL-P--000184; K--97078; CONF-970701--; ON: DE99001975
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CERAMICS
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
CORROSION RESISTANCE
EMISSIVITY
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
MATERIALS TESTING
REFRACTORY METALS
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
THERMOPHOTOVOLTAIC CONVERTERS