Thermophotovoltaic Arrays for Electrical Power Generation

Corporation, Sarnoff

Lockheed Martin

关键词: Power Generation;    Nesdps Office Of Nuclear Energy Space And Defense Power Systems;    Epitaxy;    Radioisotope Heat Sources Nesdps Office Of Nuclear Energy Space And Defense Power Systems;    07 Isotopes And Radiation Sources;   

DOI  :  10.2172/822278
RP-ID  :  LM-03K129
RP-ID  :  AC12-00SN39357
RP-ID  :  822278

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

Sarnoff has designed an integrated array of thermophotovoltaic (TPV) cells based on the In(Al)GaAsSb/GaSb materials system. These arrays will be used in a system to generate electrical power from a radioisotope heat source that radiates at temperatures from 700 to 1000 C. Two arrays sandwich the slab heat source and will be connected in series to build voltage. Between the arrays and the heat source is a spectral control filter that transmits above-bandgap radiation and reflects below-bandgap radiation. The goal is to generate 5 mW of electrical power at 3 V from a 700 C radiant source. Sarnoff is a leader in antimonide-based TPV cell development. InGaAsSb cells with a bandgap of 0.53 eV have operated at system conversion efficiencies greater than 17%. The system included a front-surface filter, and a 905 C radiation source. The cells were grown via organo-metallic vapor-phase epitaxy. Sarnoff will bring this experience to bear on the proposed project. The authors first describe array and cell architecture. They then present calculated results showing that about 80 mW of power can be obtained from a 700 C radiator. Using a conservative array design, a 5-V output is possible.