Development of a prototype micro-thermophotovoltaic power generator

Abstract

A prototype micro-thermophotovoltaic (micro-TPV) power generator is described in this paper. The system comprises a SiC emitter, a simple nine-layer dielectric filter and a GaSb PV cell array. When the flow rate of hydrogen is 4.20 g h−1 and the H2/air ratio is 0.9, the micro-TPV system is able to deliver an electrical power output of 0.92 W in a micro-combustor of 0.113 cm3 in volume. The open-circuit electrical voltage and short-circuit current are 2.32 V and 0.52 A, respectively. If we replace the GaSb PV cells with GaInAsSb PV cells, then an electrical power output of 1.45 W can be expected.