Radiation-Thermodynamic Modelling and Simulating the Core of a Thermophotovoltaic System

Chukwuma Ogbonnaya, Chamil Abeykoon, Adel Nasser and Ali Turan
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Chukwuma Ogbonnaya: Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, The University of Manchester, Manchester M60 1QD, UK
Chamil Abeykoon: Department of Materials, Aerospace Research Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
Adel Nasser: Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, The University of Manchester, Manchester M60 1QD, UK
Ali Turan: Independent Researcher, Manchester M22 4ES, Lancashire, UK

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 22, 1-15

Abstract: Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) systems generate electricity without the limitations of radiation intermittency, which is the case in solar photovoltaic systems. As energy demands steadily increase, there is a need to improve the conversion dynamics of TPV systems. Consequently, this study proposes a novel radiation-thermodynamic model to gain insights into the thermodynamics of TPV systems. After validating the model, parametric studies were performed to study the dependence of power generation attributes on the radiator and PV cell temperatures. Our results indicated that a silicon-based photovoltaic (PV) module could produce a power density output, thermal losses, and maximum voltage of 115.68 W cm −2 , 18.14 W cm −2 , and 36 V, respectively, at a radiator and PV cell temperature of 1800 K and 300 K. Power density output increased when the radiator temperature increased; however, the open circuit voltage degraded when the temperature of the TPV cells increased. Overall, for an 80 W PV module, there was a potential for improving the power generation capacity by 45% if the TPV system operated at a radiator and PV cell temperature of 1800 K and 300 K, respectively. The thermal efficiency of the TPV system varied with the temperature of the PV cell and radiator.

Keywords: power generation; thermophotovoltaics; thermodynamics; radiation; parametric study (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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