Abstract

The invention concerns a thermophotovoltaic system (300) that comprises a heat transfer chamber (22), and at least one energy conversion and transfer media (10), which comprises a transparent core (8) for energy transfer and a selective emitter material configured for emitting predominantly near-infrared radiation when heated up to high temperatures. The transparent core (8) is doped with said selective emitter material and/or the energy conversion and transfer media (10) comprises a radiation emitter (1) doped with said selective emitter material, wherein the transparent core (8) is arranged within said radiation emitter ( 1). The at least one energy conversion and transfer media (10) is arranged within the heat transfer chamber (22) and is coupled to at least one photovoltaic cell (30) and/or comprises at least one photovoltaic section (12) that is configured to convert the radiation emitted by the radiation emitter (1) into electricity. The thermophotovoltaic system (300) further comprising a fuel source (50) for performing a combustion process in said heat transfer chamber (22), wherein the thermophotovoltaic system (300) is configured to perform the combustion process as a pulsed combustion.

IPC Classes  ?

• F23C 13/00 - Apparatus in which combustion takes place in the presence of catalytic material
• H02S 10/30 - Thermophotovoltaic systems
• F23D 14/18 - Radiant burners using catalysis for flameless combustion
• F23M 20/00 - Details of combustion chambers, not otherwise provided for
• F23D 14/12 - Radiant burners
• F23D 14/16 - Radiant burners using permeable blocks
• H01L 27/30 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including components using organic materials as the active part, or using a combination of organic materials with other materials as the active part with components specially adapted for either the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation

Abstract

Combustion, heat-exchange and emitter device (10) for converting chemical into electro-magnetic radiation and method for providing such, the device (10) comprising : a radiation emission section (A) with a selective emitter (1.3) configured for emitting predominantly near-infrared radiation when heated up to high temperatures; a conversion section (B) arranged adjacent to said radiation emission section (A) and comprising a catalytic coating in order to provide for surface specific fuel combustion to maximize heat transfer between a thermal energy carrier (fuel) and the radiation emission section (A); a heat recovery section (F) configured such as to transfer excess heat of the thermal energy carrier from an exhaust outlet section (G) to an inlet section (E) such as to pre-heat the thermal energy carrier (fuel) entering the device (10) therethrough.

IPC Classes  ?

• H01L 31/04 - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS - Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices
• F23D 14/18 - Radiant burners using catalysis for flameless combustion
• F23D 14/66 - Preheating the combustion air or gas
• F23D 99/00 - Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

An energy conversion and transfer arrangement (10) comprising a spectral shaper (3) with an input surface (3.X) defining a flow-through heat transfer area (X) and an electro-magnetic radiation emitter (2) arranged within said flow-through heat transfer area (X) to allow for surface specific fuel combustion processes such as catalytic conversion which heat up the emitter to high temperatures, the electro-magnetic radiation emitter (2) being configured for emitting predominantly near-infrared radiation when exposed to high temperature; wherein the spectral shaper (3) is configured as a band pass filter for a first, optimal spectral band of the radiation emitted by the electro-magnetic radiation emitter (2) when exposed to high temperature; and/ or as a reflector for further, non-optimal spectral band(s) of the radiation emitted by the electro-magnetic radiation emitter (2), so that said second, non-optimal spectral band radiation is recycled as radiation redirected towards the electro-magnetic radiation emitter (2).

IPC Classes  ?

• F23C 13/00 - Apparatus in which combustion takes place in the presence of catalytic material
• F23D 14/12 - Radiant burners
• F23D 14/16 - Radiant burners using permeable blocks
• F23D 14/18 - Radiant burners using catalysis for flameless combustion
• H01L 31/04 - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS - Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices

Abstract

A multilayer structure (10) for thermophotovoltaic devices, comprising a heat transfer-emitter unit (2) and a spectral shaper (3). The heat transfer-emitter unit (2) comprising a chamber enclosure (2.1) made of a high temperature resistant material, defining a flow-through heat transfer chamber (2.2); an electro-magnetic radiation emitter (2.3) configured for emitting predominantly near-infrared radiation when exposed to high temperatures. The spectral shaper (3) is arranged adjacent to and thermally connected with said electro-magnetic radiation emitter (2.3), wherein the spectral shaper (3) is configured as a band pass filter for an optimal spectral band of the radiation and as a reflector for further, non-optimal spectral band(s) of the radiation, so that said second, non-optimal spectral band radiation is recycled as radiation redirected towards the electro-magnetic radiation emitter (2.3).

IPC Classes  ?

• F23C 3/00 - Combustion apparatus characterised by the shape of the combustion chamber
• F23D 14/12 - Radiant burners