Hydrocarbon fired thermophotovoltaic generator prototypes using low bandgap gallium antimonide cells

Abstract

Low bandgap gallium antimonide photovoltaic cells make hydrocarbon-fired thermophotovoltaic generators practical. Here, the authors describe four prototype generators. In the smallest unit, a candle flame is surrounded with a bracelet of 16 GaSb cells, producing enough power to operate a transistor radio. In the second unit, they insert an IR emitter coil in a Bunsen burner flame and surround it with 20 GaSb cells. This produces over 2 W, enough to operate a "boom box" radio/tape player. A third unit is a wall-mounted combination room heater and battery charger for off-grid remote applications. This cogeneration unit produces 30 W of electricity and 10,000 BTU per hour of heat. The fourth unit is a more efficient cylindrical generator complete with exhaust heat regeneration. This unit generates 130 W; larger versions could eventually replace home furnaces and supply heat and electricity for homes in the next Century.