Lightweight Fuel-Fired Thermophotovoltaic Power Supply

Abstract

There are multiple potential applications for infrared thermophotovoltaic (TPV) cells. One application is described in more detail here. A bench top prototype for a portable cylindrical TPV battery replacement is described. This small 8.5 cm diameter unit is designed to consume fuel at a rate of approximately 400 W and to produce approximately 30 W of DC power. Herein, a cylindrical TPV generator using simple diffused junction GaSb IR cells is described along with a novel omega recuperator and a novel doped ceramic matched IR emitter. The IR emitter assembly consists of a picket fence containing 4% NiO doped magnesia rods with spectral output centered at a wavelength of 1.5 micrometers matching the response band of the GaSb cells. This lightweight TPV cylinder along with fuel cylinders can potentially have a very high specific energy density higher than the specific energy for a Li ion battery with a similar power rating. The key is the TPV system efficiency. The GaSb IR cells can also be combined with the picket fence matched IR emitter in home furnaces and stoves for combined heat and power (CHP) applications.

Department(s)

Materials Science and Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Thermophotovoltaics; TPV; Infrared; Gallium Antimonide; GaSb; PV

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Publication Date

2014-01-01

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