摘要:

The use of photovoltaic solar panels (and related generation of electric power) can be extended to a 24 hours per day under any environmental condition by equipping them with an artificial source of light, with emitting wavelengths matched to the photovoltaic solar panels, to be turned on in the absence of sunlight. This source of light can be obtained by heating a mantle to an incandescent temperature via the efficient, low polluting combustion of Natural Gas, Butane, Propane, or other gaseous Hydrocarbon fuel. ©1996 American Institute of Physics.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.49685

出版商:AIP    

年代:1996

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

A joint project between NREL, SLU, and UCFB aims at building a wood powder fueled TPV generator. The progress of the project is presented. ©1996 American Institute of Physics.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.49679

出版商:AIP    

年代:1996

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

A solar thermophotovoltaic (STPV) system has both terrestrial and space applications because thermal energy storage can be utilized. Excellent properties (heat of fusion=1800 j/gm and melting temperature=1680 K) make silicon the ideal thermal storage material for an STPV system. Using a one dimensional model with tapering of the silicon storage material, it was found that several hours of running time with modest lengths (∼15 cm) of silicon are possible. Calculated steady‐state efficiencies for an STPV system using an Er‐YAG selective emitter and ideal photovoltaic (PV) cell model are in the range of 15%–17%. Increasing the taper of the storage material improves both efficiency and power output. ©1996 American Institute of Physics.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.49686

出版商:AIP    

年代:1996

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

A solar thermophotovoltaic (STPV) power system has attractive attributes for both space and terrestrial applications. This paper presents the results of testing by McDonnell Douglas Aerospace (MDA) over the last year with components furnished by the NASA Lewis Research Center (LeRC) and the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL). The testing has included a large scale solar TPV testbed system and small scale laboratory STPV simulator using a small furnace. The testing apparatus, instrumentation, and operation are discussed, including a description of the emitters and photovoltaic devices that have been tested. Over 50 on‐sun tests have been conducted with the testbed system. It has accumulated over 300 hours of on‐sun time, and 1.5 MWh of thermal energy incident on the receiver material while temperatures and I‐V measurements were taken. A summary of the resulting test data is presented that shows the measured performance at temperatures up to 1220 °C. The receiver materials and PV cells have endured the high temperature operation with no major problems. The results of this investigation support MDA belief that STPV is a viable power system for both space and terrestrial power applications. ©1996 American Institute of Physics.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.49687

出版商:AIP    

年代:1996

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

Thermophotovoltaics (TPV) is a promising method of producing small portable electric power units for a variety of applications. Numerous studies indicate that overall efficiencies greater than 15% are possible. There are a number of competing technologies, in various stages of development, which are capable of similar efficiencies. In this paper, thermoelectrics (TE), alkali metal thermal to electric converter (AMTEC), small motor‐generators, and fuel cells will be discussed in terms of the state of the art, cost, complexity, and as competition to units based on TPV. ©1996 American Institute of Physics.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.49688

出版商:AIP    

年代:1996

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

A self‐powered, gas‐fired, warm air furnace is evaluated as a candidate for the autonomous generation of electrical power. A popular, commercial residential furnace is analyzed for electrical power requirements. Available energy conversion concepts are considered for this application, and the thermophotovoltaic (TPV) option is selected due to reliability and cost. The design and the internal components peculiar to the TPV converter will be covered. Operating results, including NOxemission, will be summarized. This work was sponsored by the Basic Research Group, Gas Research Institute, Chicago, IL. ©1996 American Institute of Physics.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.49689

出版商:AIP    

年代:1996

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

There is a growing need for clean affordable electric power generation in both the U.S. and internationally and solar thermophotovoltaic (STPV) can meet the needs of this market. This paper investigates the utility grid market applicable to a solar thermophotovoltaic power generating system. It finds that a large international electrical market and a smaller U.S. electrical market exist today but the U.S. market will grow by the year 2005 to a level that would easily support the high production level required for solar systems to be cost effective. Factors which could influence this market and the system characteristics considered by utilities in selecting future power systems such as levelized energy cost, dispatchability, environmental, etc., for both the grid and remote market are discussed. The main competition for this market and the operating performance of this competition are described. A conceptual design of a STPV power system is presented, the operation is described, and how the performance meets the utility requirements is discussed. The relationship between the cost of the TPV conversion unit and the system efficiency of the STPV system is given for both the grid and remote markets that it must meet in order to be competitive. ©1996 American Institute of Physics.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.49690

出版商:AIP    

年代:1996

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

This report contains material displayed on poster panels during the Conference. The purpose of the contribution was to present a summary of the business overview of thermophotovoltaic generation of electricity and its market potential. The market analysis has shown that the TPV market, while currently still in an early nucleation phase, is evolving into a range of small niche markets out of which larger‐size opportunities can emerge. Early commercial applications on yachts and recreational vehicles which require a quiet and emission‐free compact electrical generator fit the current TPV technology and economics. Follow‐on residential applications are attractive since they can combine generation of electricity with space and hot water heating in a co‐generation system. Development of future markets in transportation, both private and communal or industrial, will be driven by legislation requiring emission‐free vehicles, and by a reduction in TPV systems cost. As a result of ‘‘moving down the learning curve,’’ growing power and consumer markets are predicted to come into reach of TPV systems, a development favored by high overall energy conversion efficiency due to high radiation energy density and to high electric conversion efficiency available with photovoltaic cells. ©1996 American Institute of Physics.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.49691

出版商:AIP    

年代:1996

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

This paper presents an analysis of the performance of a selective emitter using small particles of rare earth compounds stable at high temperatures in a low emittance inert gas stream. An expression for the spectral emissive power excluding radiation scattering was derived to include the radiation in the emission band, produced by electronic transitions of the rare earth ion, and the continuum radiation outside the emission band produced by the rare earth host. Preliminary results suggest that a selective emitter based on suspended rare earth oxide particles will have high efficiency and merits further experimental investigation. ©1996 American Institute of Physics.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.49692

出版商:AIP    

年代:1996

数据来源: AIP

摘要:

Clearly TPV devices are of considerable interest for power generation. For practical devices it is desirable to have high efficiencies combined with low temperature operation. Photovoltaic cells which can convert the energy at the longer wavelengths of interest are needed to complete such a system. The spectral emission peak of Yb2O3is well matched to the band gap of Si; however, the longer wavelength, spectral emissions of other rare earth oxides can also be exploited through the use of III–V semiconductor compounds such as GaSb or alloys of GaInAsSb. By doping GaSb with InAs, the band gap of the resulting material can be effectively varied depending upon the concentration of InAs in the quaternary alloy. The ability to tailor the emitter materials and, in conjunction, the photovoltaic materials leads to greater efficiencies through spectral matching. Two binary rare earth oxide combinations, Er2O3/Ho2O3and Er2O3/Yb2O3, were studied. The mixtures were found to give multiple peak spectral emission in the wavelengths of interest. The intensity of the peaks were compositionally dependent though it did not vary in a linear fashion. Photon efficiencies of the molecular beam epitaxially (MBE) grown GaSb cell and GaInAsSb quaternary cell were measured when used in conjunction with the Er2O3/Ho2O3emitters in which the concentration of Er2O3and Ho2O3were varied. The results demonstrated promise for further work. ©1996 American Institute of Physics.

ISSN:0094-243X    

DOI:10.1063/1.49693

出版商:AIP    

年代:1996

数据来源: AIP