Modeling and Analysis of a Thermophotovoltaic Integrated Self-Powered Furnace

Praveen Cheekatamarla (), Stephen Kowalski, Ahmad Abu-Heiba, Timothy LaClair and Kyle Gluesenkamp
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Praveen Cheekatamarla: Building and Transportation Sciences Division, Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Road, MS 6070, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
Stephen Kowalski: Building and Transportation Sciences Division, Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Road, MS 6070, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
Ahmad Abu-Heiba: Building and Transportation Sciences Division, Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Road, MS 6070, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
Timothy LaClair: Building and Transportation Sciences Division, Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Road, MS 6070, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
Kyle Gluesenkamp: Building and Transportation Sciences Division, Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Road, MS 6070, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 19, 1-16

Abstract: This work investigates the energy efficiency and carbon reduction potential of self-powered residential building heating equipment using a thermodynamic modeling approach. An integrated thermophotovoltaic power module and residential scale furnace system (40,000 Btu/h) were modeled and studied in detail to assess the influence of different design configurations on primary energy efficiency. Operational characteristics such as total power generation, electrical efficiency, and heat recovery were examined in a self-powered system configuration. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine the influence of the electric grid’s carbon dioxide footprint (carbon intensity) and the cost of electricity on the environmental, as well as the economic, benefit associated with the self-powered configuration. Compared with a traditional furnace powered by an electric grid at a carbon intensity of 0.5 kg CO 2eq /kWh EL , the self-powered furnace was shown to decrease the annual carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 550 kg (~75% reduction), while also saving more than USD 200 in utility expenses, annually. Additionally, the carbon emission reduction potential of blending different concentrations of hydrogen in natural gas fuel was also studied.

Keywords: thermophotovoltaics; self-powered furnace; primary energy efficiency; carbon footprint (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: 2022
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