Abstract
A model for predicting the performance of the emitter in the solar thermophotovoltaic (STPV) system is presented in this article. The effect of non-parallelism of sun rays on concentration capability is numerically calculated, also the flow field in the emitter cavity and the temperature distribution of the emitter with different inlet conditions are compared. Numerical results show that free convection of the air inside the emitter cavity has great effect on the emitter temperature and may reduce the electricity output of the cells. At last, a new kind of selective film is put forward. Through optimizing the cut-off wavelength of a selective film, radiation loss is further reduced and system efficiency is improved.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Horne E. Hybrid Thermophotovoltaic Power Systems. Consultant Report, California Energy Commission, 2002
Andreev V M, Vlasov A S, Khvostikov V P, et al. Solar thermophotovoltaic converters based on tungsten emitters. Transactions of the ASME, 2007, 129: 298–303
Du S H, Xia X L, Tang Y. Numerical investigation of effects of non-parallelism of solar rays on concentrating of solar power (in Chinese). Acta Energlae Solaris Sinica, 2006, 27(4): 388–393
Frank P I, David P D. Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer. New York: John Wiley, 2001. 573
Tao W Q. Numerical Heat Transfer (in Chinese). Xi’an: Xi’an Jiaotong University Press, 2001
Bian B H. The Analyse and Calculation of Radiation (in Chinese). Beijing: Tsinghua University Press, 1988
Liu G P, Xuan Y M, Han Y G. One-dimensional photonic crystal for thermophotovoltaic applications (in Chinese). Acta Photonica Sin, 2007, 37(1): 115–119
Wang C Y, Xiao X Z, Chen H M. Examples for the application of genetic algorithm. Comp Simul, 2005, 22(6): 155–157
Liu E K, Zhu B S, Luo J S. Semiconductor Pysics (in Chinese). Xi’an: Xi’an Jiaotong University Press, 1997
Qiu K, Haydena A C S, Mauk M G, et al. Generation of electricity using InGaAsSb and GaSb TPV cells in combustion-driven radiant sources. Solar Energy Mater Solar Cells, 2006, 68(81): 68–81
Ferguson L G, Frass L M. Theoretical study of Gasb PV cell efficiency as a function of temperature. Solar Energy Mater Solar Cells, 1995, 39: 11–18
Yin L, Li W, Chen L P. Numerical simulation of three-dimensional conjugate natural convection in a square enclosure containing volumetric sources. Energy Technol, 2007, 28(4): 203–206
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province of China (Grant No. BK2007726)
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chen, X., Xuan, Y. & Han, Y. Thermal analysis and optimization of the emitter in the solar thermophotovoltaic (STPV). Sci. China Ser. E-Technol. Sci. 52, 2660–2669 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-009-0214-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-009-0214-1