The Design and Construction of a High Temperature Photon Emitter for a Thermophotovoltaic Generator.

Abstract

This report documents the engineering design of a high temperature photon emission core for a thermophotovoltaic (TPV) electrical generator. A comprehensive design approach included theoretical research, computer modeling, prototype experimentation, and final system design. The designed photon emitting surface was a 12 inch long, 4 inch diameter cylinder which produced a near blackbody photon spectrum centered at 0.7 eV. The emitter was heated by methane combustion and could achieve temperatures in excess of 2700 deg F. Ceramic materials, including inexpensive ceramic mortars, were utilized for the majority of the system components. The design included a simple recuperative heat exchanger to preheat combustion air and set point gas flow control to maintain steady state emission temperatures. The project was conducted as part of the Trident Scholar Program at the United States Naval Academy by interagency agreement with the Department of Energy.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 09, 1995
Accession Number
ADA299065

Entities

People

  • Robert S. Mchenry

Organizations

  • United States Naval Academy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Calorific Value
  • Ceramic Materials
  • Combustion
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Electric Power
  • Engineers
  • Fluid Flow
  • Heat Transfer
  • Materials Processing
  • Materials Science
  • Materials Testing
  • Naval Architecture
  • Silicon Carbide
  • Solar Cells
  • Technical Ceramics
  • United States Naval Academy

Fields of Study

  • Materials science
  • Physics

Readers

  • Combustion and Flow Dynamics.
  • Software Engineering
  • Solar Photovoltaics and Thermoelectric Devices.