High Performance Thermophotovoltaic Emitter System

An efficient thermophotovoltaic system that is cost-effective, light weight, and mechanically robust is proposed. The high efficiency is achieved by employing a silicon cell array illuminated by a ytterbium oxide emitter along with a high degree ofthermal recuperation from a thermally stress tolerant ceramic regenerator.A burner, power by aerosolized or atomized logistic fuels, rapidly mixes the fuel vapor and primary combustion air heated by thermal regeneration to very high temperatures. The high degree of recuperation reduces the thermal signature of this equipmentduring operation. The most costly system component is the crystalline silicon cell array, which is available from Quantum Group's existing inventory. Since the silicon cell array is so efficient, only a modest-sized heat sink and forced-convection fanare necessary to dissipate the cell array conversion loss. The emitter is a well-understood ytteribum oxide structure capable of long life at high temperature (2000 K). This system is comprised, for the most part, of readily available components that canbe assembled into an orientation-insensitive, sturdy, energy conversion system. A demonstration model of mobile thermophotovoltaic system with JP8 fuel that is capable of producing at least 500 Watts of dc electrical power. The phase I prototype will be a bench top model, but will demonstrate the feasibility of being made into avehicle mount or soldier portable device. The quiet thermophotovoltaic generator unit is capable of powering laptop computers, satellite relay stations, ground radio communications, infrared and perimeter sensor systems, night vision systems, lasertargeting system and other military applications. The commercial applications include quiet generators for yachts and recreation vehicles and co-generation applications.