Practical thermophotovoltaic generators

For use in gas fired thermophotovoltaic systems, a selective emitter made from Yb2O3 foam ceramic has been developed. This foam ceramic is mechanically stable and FTIR spectroscopy showed that 10 % of the radiation power emitted by the foam can be converted by Si photocells. The thermal and thermal-shock stability of Yb2O3 foam ceramic was analysed. The foam passed 200 heating / cooling cycles without major damage. Tubes were manufactured from this material and tested in a thermophotovoltaic demonstration system. An electrical power of 86 W was achieved at a thermal power of 16 kW. Using a simulation model, a potential efficiency of a thermophotovoltaic system based on our technology applied for the conversion of concentrated solar radiation was estimated. 1