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TPV efficiency predictions and measurements for a closed cavity geometry [electronic resource].

Published
Washington, D.C. : United States. Dept. of Energy, 1997.
Oak Ridge, Tenn. : Distributed by the Office of Scientific and Technical Information, U.S. Dept. of Energy.
Physical Description
17 pages : digital, PDF file
Additional Creators
Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, United States. Department of Energy, and United States. Department of Energy. Office of Scientific and Technical Information
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Summary
A thermophotovoltaic (TPV) efficiency measurement, within a closed cavity, is an integrated test which incorporates four fundamental parameters of TPV direct energy conversion. These are: (1) the TPV devices, (2) spectral control, (3) a radiation/photon source, and (4) closed cavity geometry affects. The overall efficiency of the TPV device is controlled by the TPV cell performance, the spectral control characteristics, the radiator temperature and the geometric arrangement. Controlled efficiency measurements and predictions provide valuable feedback on all four. This paper describes and compares two computer codes developed to model 16, 1 cm² TPV cells (in a 4x4 configuration) in a cavity geometry. The first code subdivides the infrared spectrum into several bands and then numerically integrates over the spectrum to provide absorbed heat flux and cell performance predictions (assuming infinite parallel plates). The second utilizes a Monte Carlo Ray-Tracing code that tracks photons, from birth at the radiation source, until they either escape or are absorbed. Absorption depends upon energy dependent reflection probabilities assigned to every geometrical surface within the cavity. The model also has the capability of tallying above and below bandgap absorptions (as a function of location) and can support various radiator temperature profiles. The arrays are fabricated using 0.55 eV InGaAs cells with Si/SiO interference filters for spectral control and at steady state conditions, array efficiency was calculated as the ratio of the load matched power to its absorbed heat flux. Preliminary experimental results are also compared with predictions.
Report Numbers
E 1.99:kapl-p--000177
E 1.99: k--97064
E 1.99:conf-9705119--
conf-9705119--
k--97064
kapl-p--000177
Subject(s)
Other Subject(s)
Note
Published through SciTech Connect.
05/01/1997.
"kapl-p--000177"
" k--97064"
"conf-9705119--"
"DE99001955"
3. NREL conference on thermophotovoltaic (TPV) generation of electricity, Colorado Springs, CO (United States), 18-21 May 1997.
Baldasaro, P.F.; DePoy, D.M.; Ballinger, C.T.; Postlethwait, M.A.; Gethers, C.K.
Funding Information
AC12-76SN00052
View MARC record | catkey: 14067434