Design and Performance of a Prototype Thermophotovoltaic System

Abstract

A prototype thermophotovoltaic (TPV) system, utilizing a cylindrical radiant burner, and GaSb cells, was assembled and tested. A unique combination of nine-layer dielectric and quartz-214 optical filtering components was utilized to minimize circuit heating, and increase emitter temperature. An evaluation of the performance of each of the spectral filtering components, and a mapping of energy losses throughout the system are provided for burner firing rates ranging from 6kW to 9kW. Fuel to electric conversion efficiency for this prototype TPV system was found to increase linearly from 1.2% at 6kW to 1.5% at 9kW. This corresponded to power densities ranging from 0.07W∕cm2 at 6kW to 0.13W∕cm2 at 9kW Areas that require additional improvement in order to increase system efficiency are addressed.