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Use of a Diffusive Approximation of Radiative Transfer for Modeling Thermophotovoltaic Systems

Hoffman, Matt J.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1279199403

Abstract Details

2010, Master of Science, University of Akron, Applied Mathematics.
Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) energy conversion is the conversion of heat energy to electrical energy via light. When a TPV material is heated, it emits ultraviolet light. This light is then collected by TPV diode cells and converted into electrical energy. In order to be used commercially, TPV energy conversion must become more efficient. A majority of the current research focuses on increasing the efficiency of the TPV diode cells. This thesis focuses on how to design the emitter, so the optimal amount of light reaches the TPV diode cells. This system is modeled inside an exhaust tube, which could be a smokestack of a factory or an exhaust pipe of a car. This model uses the diffusion approximation of the radiative transfer equation and homogenization. It shows how to optimize the geometry of the emitter and homogenize it with another material to maximize emission, while using the least amount of TPV material. This model is presented in axisymmetric coordinates. Different light sources include a ring source, a pancake source, a cylinder source, and a solid sphere source. It is shown that a light source composed of a mixture of a TPV material and a more optically transparent material could be more efficient than using a source of pure TPV material. This mixture is always more efficient if it is arranged in alternating layers on a small scale in the radial direction.
Dr. Gerald Young, Dr. (Advisor)
68 p.
Chemical Engineering; Mathematics
TPV; diffusion approximation; radiative transfer equation; homogenization

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hoffman, M. J. (2010). Use of a Diffusive Approximation of Radiative Transfer for Modeling Thermophotovoltaic Systems [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1279199403

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hoffman, Matt. Use of a Diffusive Approximation of Radiative Transfer for Modeling Thermophotovoltaic Systems. 2010. University of Akron, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1279199403.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hoffman, Matt. "Use of a Diffusive Approximation of Radiative Transfer for Modeling Thermophotovoltaic Systems." Master's thesis, University of Akron, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1279199403

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

akron1279199403
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© 2010, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.