<title>Multisource thermophotovoltaic energy conversion</title>

Abstract

Recently, at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, promising Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) experimental results have been produced utilizing an experimental system that incorporates holographic optical elements and tubular geometry thermal sources. The results and concepts presented in this paper bring to light a unique merging of combustion and solar energy sources. The holographic elements provide a mechanism for spectral splitting, as well as concentration, while the tubular thermal source provides a flexible TPV photon emitter geometry that is capable of utilizing various thermal sources. The work reported here details the experiments as well as the concepts that indicate that such a TPV system could readily produce electricity utilizing 'dual' thermal sources. A tubular photon source was located in the focus of parabolic assembly to 'collimate' the photons emitted by a lamp simulating a TPV photon emitter. The collimated photons were directed onto the holographic element and spectrally redirected as a function of the photon energy. Components of a system constructed in this geometry can be readily converted to produce a highly concentrating solar photovoltaic electrical power source.