Abstract

A thermophotovoltaic electric generating system provides high thermal to electric conversion efficiency by use of matched radiation emitter and radiation collector. The radiation emitter comprises ceramic materials which emit thermally stimulated quantum radiation in at least two characteristic wavelength bands when heated above a threshold temperature. By employing a low emissivity ceramic doped with rare earth metal oxide, more than 50% of the radiation emitted from the surface can be concentrated in two or more characteristic wavelength bands. A multilayer photovoltaic device selectively absorbs the radiation at the characteristic wavelength bands for high electric conversion efficiency. An overlying layer of the photovoltaic collector selectively absorbs at least one of such characteristic wavelength bands and is transparent to another wavelength band which is absorbed by an underlying photovoltaic layer. Preferably the emitter is a porous fiber matrix surface combustion burner comprising primarily aluminum oxide, from 8 to 20% yttrium oxide, and a minor amount of rare earth metal oxide. A ceramic tube burner may be used in an embodiment with preheated air, the outside of the tube having such a thermally stimulated quantum emitter.

Other References

• E S. Vera et al., Conference Record, 15th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conf.(1981), pp. 877-882
• E. S. Vera et al., Proceedings, 4th E.C. Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conf.(Stresa), Reidel Pub. Co. (1982), pp. 659-665