Thermophotovoltaic applications in waste heat recovery systems: example of GaSb cell

Abstract

Abstract In this study, it is aimed at evaluating real data in high temperature GaSb cell thermophotovoltaic (TPV) systems. The TPV systems are considered as an alternative energy source in terms of efficient use of waste heat, cost and efficiency. The TPV system can be defined as a system that converts waste heat energy emitted from heat sources into electrical energy at high temperature. In this context, efficiency and parameters of TPV GaSb cells have been determined in laboratory conditions. The conversion of the high temperature applied to the cell to electrical energy has been investigated by selecting the GaSb photovoltaic cell as the cell type. According to the analysis have been done so far, TPV high-temperature real graphics have been obtained using GaSb cell. The temperature parameters used are, namely, cell temperature and source temperature. With these graphs, energy efficiency, fill factor, effect of open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current values have been determined. While the efficiency value of the GaSb TPV cell systems was calculated, the radiation source temperature values have been taken in increments of 300 K between 1300 and 3100 K. In this analysis, the optimum energy conversion efficiency values of GaSb solar cell structure have been detected to be 21.57%. Opinions about the feasibility, efficiency and development of thermophotovoltaic energy conversion systems are stated, and suggestions are presented.