Numerical power output predictions for low-bandgap thermophotovoltaic cells coupled with a latent-heat energy storage system

Amundson, Thomas R.; Webb, Kyle M.; Webb, Rebecca N.

doi:10.1016/j.est.2016.04.008

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…In these systems, thermal energy storage is important to enable the STP during eclipses. Very recently, both experimental and theoretical research has been started by Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), ERC Inc, USC and UCCS to evaluate the feasibility of using silicon and boron PCMs for latent heat energy storage to augment STP in microsatellites operating in LEOs [51][52][53][54][55]. Silicon and Boron have remarkably high latent heats of 1800 J/g and 4650 J/g and melting temperatures of 1410 °C and 2540 °C, respectively, which perfectly matches the STP requirements.…”

Section: Solar Tpvmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Silicon and Boron have remarkably high latent heats of 1800 J/g and 4650 J/g and melting temperatures of 1410 °C and 2540 °C, respectively, which perfectly matches the STP requirements. In [51][52][53][54][55], TPV is considered as an ideal technological option for generating electricity in these systems, whose operation temperature is excessive for thermoelectric converters.…”

Section: Solar Tpvmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Thermophotovoltaic energy in space applications: Review and future potential

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Martı́

2017

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

157

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This article reviews the state of the art and historical development of thermophotovoltaic (TPV) energy conversion along with that of the main competing technologies, i.e. Stirling, Brayton, thermoelectrics, and thermionics, in the field of space power generation. Main advantages of TPV are the high efficiency, the absence of moving parts, and the fact that it directly generates DC power. The main drawbacks are the unproven reliability and the low rejection temperature, which makes necessary the use of relatively large radiators. This limits the usefulness of TPV to small/medium power applications (100 W e -class) that includes radioisotope (RTPV) and small solar thermal (STPV) generators. In this article, next generation TPV concepts are also revisited in order to explore their potential in future space power applications. Among them, multiband TPV cells are found to be the most promising in the short term because of their higher conversion efficiencies at lower emitter temperatures; thus significantly reducing the amount of rejected heat and the required radiator mass.

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