JP2017184567A - Thermophotovoltaic generator and thermophotovoltaic generation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermophotovoltaic generator which achieves high generating efficiency.SOLUTION: A thermophotovoltaic generator includes: a plate-like radiation part 10 including a thermophotovoltaic conversion element 12 as a heat radiation light source which converts heat into radiation light; a heat supply part 20 which supplies heat supplied from the heat source to the radiation part 10; and a plate-like photoelectric conversion part 30 including a photoelectric conversion element 31 which receives the radiation light and generates electric power.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention includes a flat plate-like radiation unit having a heat radiation light source that converts heat into radiation light, a heat supply unit that supplies heat supplied from the heat source to the radiation unit, and a photoelectric that generates power by receiving the radiation light. The present invention relates to a thermoelectric generator including a flat photoelectric conversion unit including a conversion element.

  In general, when an object is heated, light having a spectrum corresponding to the material constituting the object and the temperature of the object, that is, radiation light is generated. A device that captures this radiant light with a solar cell and generates electric power is referred to as a thermal light power generation (TPV) device (Patent Document 1).

This thermophotovoltaic power generation apparatus includes a heat radiation light source that emits (radiates) radiation light including a greater amount of a specific wavelength, a heat supply unit that supplies heat from the heat source to the heat radiation light source, and a photoelectric conversion element. And a photoelectric conversion unit.
The thermal radiation light source is configured, for example, with one of the bases made of a plate-like metal material as a heat absorbing surface and the other as a radiation surface.
The heat supply unit is disposed in contact with the heat absorption surface of the heat radiation light source in a state of facing the heat absorption surface. The photoelectric conversion unit is disposed on the side opposite to the heat supply unit across the heat radiation light source so as to face the radiation surface. That is, the photoelectric conversion unit is disposed to face the heat supply unit.

JP, 2014-217110, A

In the thermophotovoltaic device as described above, the area of the heat radiation light source cannot be arbitrarily increased because the heat supply unit and the heat absorption surface of the heat radiation light source are disposed in contact with each other. Furthermore, depending on the type of heat radiation light source (for example, in the case of a light-transmitting material), radiation light having a wavelength that cannot be converted by the photoelectric conversion element of the photoelectric conversion unit leaks from the heat supply unit, and power generation in the photoelectric conversion unit It does not contribute and is a loss. In this case, the photoelectric conversion unit is heated by radiation light having a wavelength that cannot be converted by the photoelectric conversion element of the photoelectric conversion unit, thereby further reducing the power generation efficiency.
Thus, a thermophotovoltaic power generation device with high power generation efficiency without reducing power generation efficiency is desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to provide a thermophotovoltaic power generation device having high power generation efficiency.

In order to achieve the above object, the characteristic configuration of the thermophotoelectric generator according to the present invention is as follows:
A flat plate-shaped radiation unit having a heat radiation light source that converts heat into radiation light, a heat supply unit that supplies heat supplied from the heat source to the radiation unit, and a photoelectric conversion element that receives the radiation light and generates power In the thermophotovoltaic power generation device provided with a flat photoelectric conversion unit provided with
The radiating unit is erected on the heat supply unit so as to be able to conduct heat from the heat supply unit,
The photoelectric conversion unit is provided in the radiation unit with the photoelectric conversion element facing the thermal radiation light source.

Usually, the surface of the heat supply unit also functions as a radiation surface according to the material and temperature, and emits radiation light that is not controlled by a specific wavelength distribution. The uncontrolled radiation light from the heat supply unit may pass through the radiation unit even when the radiation unit covers the heat supply unit. For example, when the radiation part includes a material that can transmit infrared rays, such as an infrared transparent substrate such as infrared transparent glass, the uncontrolled radiation from the heat supply part easily passes through the radiation part.
When the heat supply unit emits radiant light as a surface light source, for example, the radiant light from the heat supply unit is incident on the surface provided in parallel with the radiant surface of the heat supply unit at a maximum density. Radiant light from the heat supply unit is emitted.
However, according to the above configuration, the photoelectric conversion unit is provided in a state of being opposed to the radiating unit provided upright on the heat supply unit, so that the arrangement parallel to the surface of the heat supply unit can be avoided. The radiation light from the heat supply unit does not enter at a right angle. In particular, when the radiation unit is vertically installed in the heat supply unit, and the radiation light from the photoelectric conversion unit and the heat supply unit is parallel, it is possible to avoid the radiation light from entering the photoelectric conversion unit. .
Therefore, the density of the radiation light from the heat supply unit received by the photoelectric conversion unit can be reduced, and the heat generation of the photoelectric conversion element can be avoided.

  Furthermore, by providing the radiating unit upright on the surface of the heat supply unit so as to be able to conduct heat, more radiating units are provided on the surface of the heat supply unit than when the radiating unit is covered on the surface of the heat supply unit. Therefore, more of the heat energy of the heat supplied from the heat source to the heat supply unit is converted into radiation light controlled by the radiation unit, and relatively uncontrolled radiation light from the heat supply unit The energy that is converted into can be reduced.

  Therefore, according to the above configuration, heat generation of the photoelectric conversion element is avoided, a decrease in conversion efficiency of the photoelectric conversion element is avoided, and a larger proportion of the thermal energy is converted into controlled radiation light to generate photoelectric Since it can enter into the photoelectric conversion element of a conversion part, a thermophotovoltaic power generator with high power generation efficiency can be provided.

Further features of the thermophotovoltaic power generator according to the present invention are as follows:
The photoelectric conversion unit is provided with the radiation unit while being supported by a support unit different from the heat supply unit, and further includes a heat absorption unit that cools the photoelectric conversion element.

  According to the said structure, a photoelectric conversion part is not heated by heat conduction from a heat supply part. And since a photoelectric conversion element is cooled with a heat absorption part, the fall of power generation efficiency can be avoided and a thermophotoelectric power generator with high power generation efficiency can be provided.

Further, when the photoelectric conversion element receives light having a wavelength shorter than the band gap energy of the photoelectric conversion element, the photoelectric conversion element generates heat due to in-band relaxation.
However, since the photoelectric conversion element is cooled by the heat absorption unit, power can be generated in a state where the photoelectric conversion unit is maintained at a temperature with high power generation efficiency. Therefore, it is possible to provide a thermal light power generation device that avoids a decrease in power generation efficiency and has high power generation efficiency.

Further features of the thermophotovoltaic power generator according to the present invention are as follows:
The heat absorption part is formed in a flat plate shape, and the photoelectric conversion element is provided on a flat part of the heat absorption part, and the photoelectric conversion element is connected to the flat part so as to be able to conduct heat.

  According to the said structure, a heat-light conversion element can be covered by the flat part of the heat absorption part formed in flat form, and it can connect efficiently and can be thermally conducted by surface connection. Therefore, since the photoelectric conversion element is reliably cooled by the heat absorption unit, a decrease in power generation efficiency can be avoided, and a thermophotovoltaic power generation device with high power generation efficiency can be provided.

Further features of the thermophotovoltaic power generator according to the present invention are as follows:
The surface of the flat portion is a mirror surface.

  According to the said structure, since the light which permeate | transmitted the photoelectric conversion element is reflected in the plane part of a heat absorption part, it can avoid that the said light being converted into heat in a heat absorption part. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a decrease in power generation efficiency and to provide a thermal light power generation device with high power generation efficiency.

Further features of the thermophotovoltaic power generator according to the present invention are as follows:
The radiation portion includes an infrared transparent substrate formed in a flat plate shape with a material that can transmit infrared rays,
The infrared transparent substrate includes a heat-light conversion element that radiates radiation light having a predetermined wavelength amplified as the heat radiation light source, and is connected to the heat supply unit so as to be able to conduct heat from the heat supply unit. It is in the point.

A so-called infrared transparent substrate has almost no absorption of light in the infrared region. Therefore, the infrared transparent substrate hardly causes infrared radiation.
In other words, according to the above-described configuration, the infrared transparent substrate that hardly emits radiation light does not lose heat energy due to uncontrolled radiation, up to a heat-light conversion element that emits radiation light with a predetermined wavelength amplified. Then, heat can be supplied from the heat supply unit by heat transfer, and radiation light having a predetermined wavelength amplified can be emitted as radiation.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a thermal light power generation device with high power generation efficiency.

Further features of the thermophotovoltaic power generator according to the present invention are as follows:
The radiation unit and the photoelectric conversion unit are alternately provided.

  According to the said structure, since a radiation | emission part and a photoelectric conversion part can be arrange | positioned with high density in a small space, a thermophotoelectric power generator with high power generation efficiency can be provided compactly.

Further features of the thermophotovoltaic power generator according to the present invention are as follows:
In the point which provided the shielding part which shields the radiant light from the said supply part between the said heat supply part and the said photoelectric conversion part.

  According to the above configuration, since uncontrolled radiation from the heat supply unit can be prevented from being supplied to the photoelectric conversion unit, the photoelectric conversion unit is not heated, and a decrease in power generation efficiency can be avoided, resulting in high power generation efficiency. A thermoluminescent power generation device can be provided.

Further features of the thermophotovoltaic power generator according to the present invention are as follows:
The said shielding part is a heat insulating material, and the said heat insulating material exists in the point covered by the said heat supply part.

According to the said structure, a heat supply part is coat | covered with a heat insulating material, and is heat-retained.
Therefore, the radiation of uncontrolled radiation from the heat supply unit is suppressed, the loss of heat energy is avoided, and the photoelectric conversion unit can avoid heating and avoid a decrease in power generation efficiency. A photovoltaic device can be provided.

Further features of the thermophotovoltaic power generator according to the present invention are as follows:
The shielding portion is a light reflector that reflects light, and the light reflector is provided to reflect light toward the heat supply portion.

According to the above configuration, the radiation from the heat supply unit is returned to the heat supply unit again by the light reflector.
Therefore, the radiation of uncontrolled radiation from the heat supply unit is suppressed, the loss of heat energy is avoided, and the photoelectric conversion unit can avoid heating and avoid a decrease in power generation efficiency. A photovoltaic device can be provided.

The characteristic configuration of the thermophotovoltaic power generation system including the thermophotovoltaic power generation apparatus according to the present invention is
The thermophotoelectric generator is provided in the vacuum vessel.

According to the said structure, it can avoid that a heat supply part is made by the convection by atmospheric gas, such as air | atmosphere, or a photoelectric conversion part is heated.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a thermal light power generation system with high power generation efficiency.

Sectional drawing which shows the whole structure of a thermophotoelectric generator and a thermophotovoltaic power generation system Schematic diagram of another cross section showing the overall structure of the thermophotovoltaic generator and thermophotovoltaic power generation system The figure which shows an example of a heat-light conversion element The figure which shows an example of the spectral radiance of a heat-light conversion element The figure explaining an example of the energy conversion efficiency of a thermophotovoltaic power generation device The figure which shows another whole structure of a thermophotoelectric power generation apparatus and a thermophotovoltaic power generation system

  Based on FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the thermophotoelectric generator 100 and the thermophotovoltaic power generation system 1 which concern on embodiment of this invention are demonstrated.

  The thermoluminescent power generation apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a flat plate-like radiation unit 10 including a thermo-light conversion element 12 as a heat radiation light source that converts heat into radiation light, and the heat supplied from the heat source to the radiation unit 10. And a flat plate-like photoelectric conversion unit 30 including a photoelectric conversion element 31 that receives radiant light and generates electric power.

  In the case of this example, the heat source of heat supplied to the heat supply unit 20 can be, for example, exhaust heat of a gas engine or a heat source that concentrates sunlight. Of course, other heat sources can be used and are not limited to specific heat sources. The outer peripheral portion of the heat supply unit 20 is formed of, for example, a metal having high thermal conductivity such as iron, copper, and stainless steel. In this example, it is made of stainless steel.

The thermophotovoltaic power generation device 100 is stored in a vacuum space 60 of the cooling unit 40 that also serves as the vacuum vessel 61.
In this example, the space 60 is maintained in a vacuum of about 0.01 mPa to 1 kPa.

In this example, the radiation unit 10 is provided upright with respect to the heat supply unit 20 in the vertical direction of the heat supply unit 20 in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this example, the radiation unit 10 is provided at a right angle to the surface of the heat supply unit 20.
Further, the photoelectric conversion unit 30 is erected on the cooling unit 40 with the installation direction opposite to that of the opposing heat supply unit 20. In this example, the photoelectric conversion unit 30 is provided at a right angle to the cooling unit 40.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another cross section orthogonal to the cross section of the thermophotoelectric power generation system 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 2 shows the radiation unit 10 and the photoelectric conversion unit 30 on the same cross section for convenience of schematically showing the relationship between the radiation unit 10, the heat supply unit 20, the photoelectric conversion unit 30, and the cooling unit 40. Yes.

Therefore, the radiation unit 10 and the photoelectric conversion unit 30 are provided in parallel. The photoelectric conversion unit 30 is provided in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the heat supply unit 20.
Therefore, most of the uncontrolled radiation light from the surface of the heat supply unit 20 is emitted in parallel to the photoelectric conversion unit 30, and the photoelectric conversion unit 30 is not controlled from the surface of the heat supply unit 20. Heating with radiation light can be avoided.

  Further, the radiation unit 10 and the photoelectric conversion unit 30 are provided with a predetermined interval. The radiation unit 10 and the photoelectric conversion unit 30 are not in physical contact. Therefore, the radiation unit 10 and the photoelectric conversion unit 30 are thermally isolated from each other.

  Further, the radiating unit 10 and the cooling unit 40 are provided at a predetermined interval. The radiation part 10 and the cooling part 40 do not come into physical contact. Therefore, the radiation unit 10 and the cooling unit 40 are thermally isolated.

  In addition, the photoelectric conversion unit 30 and the heat supply unit 20 are provided at a predetermined interval. There is no physical contact between the photoelectric conversion unit 30 and the heat supply unit 20. Therefore, the photoelectric conversion unit 30 and the heat supply unit 20 are thermally isolated.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the case of a rectangular flat plate-like radiation part 10 in a square space 60 and a square flat photoelectric conversion part 30 corresponding to the radiation part 10 is illustrated. However, these illustrations are for convenience of explanation, and are not limited to these shapes.
Hereinafter, the thermophotoelectric generator 100 and the thermophotovoltaic power generation system 1 will be further described in detail.

  The radiation unit 10 includes an infrared transparent substrate 11 for transferring heat from the heat supply unit 20 and supplying the heat to the heat-light conversion element 12. That is, the radiation part 10 includes the infrared transparent substrate 11 and the heat-light conversion element 12.

  The radiation part 10 may be formed with a height of 1 to 10 cm from the heat source. In this example, the radiation part 10 may be formed in a flat plate shape of about 1 to 10 cm square. When the radiation part 10 is too small, it is economically disadvantageous. If the radiating unit 10 is too large, heat transfer from the heat supply unit 20 is not sufficient, which is also economically disadvantageous.

The infrared transparent substrate 11 is a material that can transmit infrared rays. In this example, the infrared transparent substrate 11 is formed in a flat plate shape.
Examples of the infrared transparent substrate 11 include magnesium oxide, silicon oxide, silicon silicon carbide (SiC), diamond, sapphire, aluminum nitride, gallium nitride, calcium fluoride, magnesium fluoride, zinc selenium, barium fluoride, and zirconium oxide. Hafnium oxide, titanium oxide, yttria oxide, or the like can be used.
In this example, sapphire is used as the infrared transparent substrate 11.

The infrared transparent substrate 11 is erected on the heat supply unit 20. The infrared transparent substrate 11 and the heat supply unit 20 are thermally intimately connected so as to be able to conduct heat.
The infrared transparent substrate 11 functions as a support portion that supports the heat-light conversion element 12. The infrared transparent substrate 11 and the heat-light conversion element 12 are thermally intimately connected so as to be able to conduct heat.
In this example, the infrared transparent substrate 11 is fixed by pressing one side of the infrared transparent substrate 11 into a narrow groove provided on the surface of the heat supply unit 20.
Therefore, the heat supply unit 20 and the heat-light conversion element 12 are formed so as to be able to conduct heat via the infrared transparent substrate 11.

In this example, the infrared transparent substrate 11 includes a thermal light conversion element 12 that radiates radiation light having a predetermined wavelength amplified as the thermal light conversion element 12 in a flat plate portion.
Materials and members suitable for use as the thermo-optic conversion element 12 include metals such as tantalum and tungsten, semiconductors such as silicon silicon carbide, other insulators, metal or semiconductors or insulators subjected to processing such as a periodic structure, and radiation. The member which controlled can be used. A photonic crystal, which will be described later, is particularly suitable as a member that controls the radiation by processing a semiconductor or an insulator such as a periodic structure.

A so-called photonic crystal having a predetermined optical structure can be used for the heat-light conversion element 12 of this example. And the heat-light conversion element 12 has a function which converts the supplied heat into radiant light including the wavelength corresponding to the optical structure as a photonic crystal.
The heat-light conversion element 12 includes a refraction part 13 made of, for example, a semiconductor and an optical substrate 14 having a light refractive index smaller than that of the semiconductor of the refraction part 13. The heat-light conversion element 12 of this example receives heat energy from the infrared transparent substrate 11 by heat transfer.

The heat-light conversion element 12 includes a configuration in which the refracting portions 13 are arranged in a square lattice pattern on one surface of the optical substrate 14 configured in a flat plate shape in a direction in which radiation light is to be emitted.
The arrangement of the refracting portions 13 is not limited to a square lattice shape.
Therefore, the surface provided with the refracting portion 13 is mainly directed to emit radiant light, and the other surface is a surface that emits radiant light having slightly weaker intensity than the surface provided with the refracting portion 13. That is, the intensity is slightly biased toward the surface of the optical substrate 14 that includes the refracting portion 13, and radiation light is radiated from both surfaces of the optical substrate 14.

In the case of this example, the infrared transparent substrate 11 transmits radiated light radiated from both surfaces of the optical substrate 14. Therefore, radiant light is emitted from both sides of the radiating unit 10.
The arrangement of the refracting portions 13 is not limited to a square lattice shape. For example, other arrangements and arrangements including a triangular houndstooth may be included.
Further, the refracting portion 13 and the optical substrate 14 constituting the heat-light conversion element 12 are not limited to a two-dimensional arrangement / arrangement, and may include a three-dimensional arrangement / arrangement.

The refraction part 13 is formed of a semiconductor. The semiconductor includes an intrinsic semiconductor.
In this example, the refracting portion 13 is made of Si crystal.
As a semiconductor that can be used as the refracting portion 13, SiC can be suitably used in addition to the Si crystal. Si and SiC are intrinsic semiconductors.

In this example, the refracting portion 13 is formed in a cylindrical shape in a state of protruding on the optical substrate 14. In this example, the case where the heat-light conversion element 12 is formed of a single layer in which the optical substrate 14 includes the refracting portion 13 is shown.
As an example, the diameter d of the refracting portion 13 is approximately 200 nm. The height h of the refracting portion 13 is about 500 nm. The refracting portions 13 are arranged in a square lattice shape, and the period length a of the square lattice (the distance between the centers of the adjacent refracting portions 13) is approximately 600 nm.

The optical substrate 14 is a substrate capable of transmitting light having a wavelength included in visible light and far infrared rays. In other words, the substrate does not have an absorptance in the visible to far-infrared region.
The optical substrate 14 is formed of a material capable of transmitting light having a wavelength included in visible light and far infrared rays.

In this example, this optical substrate 14 is an infrared transparent substrate in this example. Specifically, sapphire is used. The optical substrate 14 is configured integrally with the infrared transparent substrate 11 in this example.
Examples of the material that can transmit light having a wavelength included in the far infrared ray from visible light used for the optical substrate 14 include magnesium oxide, silicon oxide, SiC, diamond, sapphire, aluminum nitride, gallium nitride, calcium fluoride, Magnesium fluoride, zinc selenium, barium fluoride, zirconium oxide, hafnium oxide, titanium oxide, yttria oxide, and the like can also be suitably used.

The photoelectric conversion unit 30 is provided side by side with the radiation unit 10 while being supported by the cooling unit 40.
And the photoelectric conversion part 30 should just be provided so that the radiation light which the heat-light conversion element 12 radiates | emits can be received. For example, what is necessary is just to provide the photoelectric conversion element 31 of the photoelectric conversion part 30 in the state made to oppose the radiation surface of the heat-light conversion element 12 comprised by the plane.
In this example, the photoelectric conversion unit 30 is connected to the cooling unit 40 in a state capable of conducting heat, is provided standing on the cooling unit 40, and is provided in parallel with the radiation unit 10.

The photoelectric conversion unit 30 is a member including a photoelectric conversion element 31 that converts received light into electricity and a heat absorption unit 32 that cools the photoelectric conversion element.
In this example, the photoelectric conversion elements 31 are provided on both flat surfaces (both surfaces) of the heat absorbing portion 32 formed in a flat plate shape.
That is, the photoelectric conversion unit 30 can generate power by receiving the radiation light from the radiation unit 10 on both sides thereof.

It supplements about the relationship between the radiation part 10 and the photoelectric conversion part 30. FIG.
In this example, the radiation unit 10 and the photoelectric conversion unit 30 are alternately provided in the longitudinal direction of the heat supply unit 20 and provided side by side.
Therefore, the photoelectric conversion elements 31 provided corresponding to both surfaces of the radiating unit 10 receive and generate the radiated light emitted from both surfaces of the radiating unit 10.
In addition, the radiation unit 10 and the photoelectric conversion unit 30 are alternately arranged so that the radiation unit 10 having a larger area, that is, the heat-light conversion element 12, is larger than the surface area of the heat supply unit 20. By providing, heat energy can be efficiently converted into radiant light.

The heat absorption unit 32 is a member that thermally connects the cooling unit 40 and the photoelectric conversion element 31.
The heat absorption unit 32 is a member having a function of receiving heat from the photoelectric conversion element 31 and transferring the heat to the cooling unit 40.
Furthermore, in this example, the heat absorption part 32 functions as a support part that supports the photoelectric conversion element 31.

  The heat absorbing portion 32 is formed of a metal having high thermal conductivity such as iron, copper, aluminum, duralumin, and stainless steel. In this example, it is formed of a stainless steel flat plate, and this stainless steel flat plate also functions as a member that thermally connects the photoelectric conversion element 31 and the cooling unit 40, and at the same time, a support part that supports the photoelectric conversion element 31. Is functioning as

The function of thermally connecting the photoelectric conversion element 31 and the cooling unit 40 of the heat absorption unit 32 can also be realized by using cooling water or a heat pipe.
Therefore, the aspect of the heat absorption part 32 is not limited to the aspect of this example, A several structure can be combined and a well-known structure can be utilized at least.

The heat absorption unit 32 is connected to the cooling unit 40 in a state capable of conducting heat, is provided standing on the cooling unit 40, and is provided in parallel with the radiation unit 10. In this example, the heat absorption part 32 is fixed to the surface of the cooling part 40 by welding one side of the heat absorption part 32.
The heat absorption part 32 is formed in a flat plate shape, and includes a photoelectric conversion element 31 on a flat part thereof. Therefore, the photoelectric conversion element 31 is provided in parallel with the heat-light conversion element 12.
Moreover, the heat absorption part 32 is closely provided with the photoelectric conversion element 31 so that heat conduction is possible. In this example, the photoelectric conversion element 31 is covered with the heat absorption part 32.
Therefore, the cooling unit 40 and the photoelectric conversion element 31 are formed so as to be able to conduct heat via the heat absorption unit 32.

The photoelectric conversion element 31 is a member that converts light into electricity.
As the photoelectric conversion element 31, for example, a general solar cell can be used. For example, a silicon solar cell, a gallium antimony solar cell, a germanium solar cell, an indium gallium arsenide solar cell, or a gallium arsenide solar cell can be used. Of course, the specific mode of the photoelectric conversion element 31 is not limited to these examples.

These solar cells generate heat by relaxation within the band when receiving light and generating power. Therefore, by cooling the solar cell used as the photoelectric conversion element 31 via the heat absorption part 32, it can avoid that a solar cell becomes high temperature and power generation efficiency falls.
Moreover, when these solar cells receive light having a long wavelength, they absorb the light and generate heat. Therefore, by cooling the solar cell used as the photoelectric conversion element 31 via the heat absorption part 32, it can avoid that a solar cell becomes high temperature and power generation efficiency falls.

The wavelength suitable for the power generation of the photoelectric conversion element 31 and the emission spectrum of the radiation of the heat-light conversion element 12 need to be in a suitable combination with the main parts matching each other.
For example, when a silicon solar battery is used as the thermal light conversion element 12, the peak of the wavelength of the emission spectrum of the photoelectric conversion element 31 is preferably less than 1120 nm. This is because silicon solar cells generally cannot photoelectrically convert light having a wavelength exceeding 1120 nm. Even when other solar battery cells are used, the peak of the wavelength of the emission spectrum of the photoelectric conversion element 31 can be similarly determined.

It supplements about the relationship between the heat-light conversion element 12 and the photoelectric conversion element 31. FIG.
The members exemplified above as materials suitable for use as the heat-light conversion element 12 have a sharp wavelength spectrum in which a predetermined wavelength of radiated light is amplified compared to a so-called black body. By combining with the element 31, high power generation efficiency can be obtained.
Here, the power generation efficiency refers to a ratio of energy converted to electricity in the input thermal energy.

FIG. 4 shows the wavelength spectrum of radiation (line BB in FIG. 4) of a black body (material is SiC) at 1000 ° C. and heat-light conversion using the photonic crystal exemplified in this example at 1000 ° C. The wavelength spectrum of radiation in the case of the element 12 (line EM in FIG. 4) is illustrated. In FIG. 4, “SP” indicates spectral radiance.
It can be seen that the wavelength spectrum of radiation in the case of the heat-light conversion element 12 using the photonic crystal exemplified in this example is extremely sharp and has particularly preferable characteristics as a heat radiation light source.

FIG. 5 shows the power generation efficiency when generating power by receiving the radiation light of the heat-light conversion element 12 using the photonic crystal exemplified in this example at 1000 ° C. with a silicon solar cell. In FIG. 5, “Ef” indicates efficiency.
In this example, it can be seen that a conversion efficiency as high as 68% is exhibited at an open-circuit voltage of about 0.8 V suitable for a silicon solar cell.

The cooling unit 40 is a member that receives the heat supplied from the photoelectric conversion unit 30 and releases the heat without accumulating the heat. That is, it is a member that cools the photoelectric conversion unit 30.
The cooling unit 40 can exhibit its function by cooling with a known cooling method. In this example, the cooling unit 40 is configured in such a manner that cooling water flows through a stainless outer wall (container). The cooling unit 40 is not limited to this exemplary aspect, and may include other methods and aspects having similar functions.

Hereinafter, more preferable modes of the thermophotoelectric generator 100 and the thermophotoelectric power generation system 1 will be described.
Between the heat supply part 20 and the photoelectric conversion part 30, it is good to provide the shielding part 50 which shields the radiation light from the heat supply part 20. FIG.
In this example, a light reflector 51 that reflects light is provided as the shielding unit 50 at the end of the photoelectric conversion unit 30 on the side facing the heat supply unit 20. It is provided to reflect the uncontrolled radiation emitted by the heat supply unit 20 toward the heat supply unit 20 and convert it to heat again.

The light reflector 51 only needs to reflect light. Particularly preferably, the reflective surface is made of gold, silver, or aluminum, and the material is exposed on the surface.
In this example, a light reflector 51 is used in which a stainless steel flat plate is buffed with No. 300 and then electropolished and gold-deposited.

  In the illustration of the thermophotovoltaic power generation device 100 and the thermophotovoltaic power generation system 1 in FIG. 1, utilities such as a supply path used for supplying heat from the above-described heat source, cooling water used for cooling, and electric wiring for extracting generated power are as follows: Although not described, publicly known members and methods can be used for these.

[Another embodiment]
(1) In the above embodiment, the thermophotoelectric generator 100 has been described as being stored in the vacuum space 60 of the cooling unit 40 that also serves as the vacuum vessel 61.
However, as shown in FIG. 6, the thermophotoelectric power generation system 1 may be configured by providing the vacuum vessel 61 separately from the cooling unit 40 and providing the thermophotoelectric generator 100 in the space 60.

(2) In the above embodiment, the radiation unit 10 is provided upright in the vertical direction of the heat supply unit 20 in FIG. 1 with respect to the heat supply unit 20, and the photoelectric conversion unit 30 is opposed to the heat supply unit 20. An example in which the cooling unit 40 is erected in the opposite direction is shown.
However, as shown in FIG. 6, the radiation unit 10 may be erected in only one direction with respect to the heat supply unit 20.

(3) In the said embodiment, the radiation part 10 and the photoelectric conversion part 30 repeated alternately in the longitudinal direction of the heat supply part 20, and showed the example provided side by side.
However, the radiation unit 10 and the photoelectric conversion unit 30 may be alternately arranged in the circumferential direction of the heat supply unit 20 and provided side by side. Specifically, for example, the heat supply unit 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape, the radiation unit 10 is erected on the cylindrical surface of the heat supply unit 20, and the photoelectric conversion unit 30 is provided opposite to the radiation unit 10. May be.

(4) In the embodiment described above, the light reflector 51 that reflects light is provided as the shielding part 50 at the end of the photoelectric conversion part 30 facing the heat supply part 20. The case where the uncontrolled radiation light emitted from the heat supply unit 20 toward the supply unit 20 is reflected and converted into heat again by the heat supply unit 20 is illustrated.
However, as shown in FIG. 6, a heat insulating material 52 is used as the shielding portion 50, and the heat insulating material 52 is covered with the heat supply portion 20 so as to suppress uncontrolled radiation from the heat supply portion 20. It may be configured.

(5) In the said embodiment, the surface of each member can be made into a mirror-like light reflector.
For example, by making the flat part of the heat absorption part 32 formed in a flat plate shape into a mirror-like light reflector, the radiation light transmitted through the photoelectric conversion element 31 is reflected by the mirror-like light reflector, and again Since it is returned to the photoelectric conversion element 31, the heat-light conversion element 12, and the heat supply unit 20, energy efficiency is improved.
Similarly, it is preferable that the surfaces of the heat supply unit 20 and the cooling unit 40 are mirror-like light reflectors. Also in this case, similarly to the above, the radiation light is reflected by the mirror-like light reflector and is returned again to the photoelectric conversion element 31, the heat-light conversion element 12, and the heat supply unit 20, so that the energy efficiency is improved. To do.

  Note that the configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies hereinafter) can be applied in combination with the configurations disclosed in the other embodiments as long as no contradiction arises. The embodiment disclosed in this specification is an exemplification, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. The embodiment can be appropriately modified without departing from the object of the present invention.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be usefully used as a thermophotoelectric generator and a thermophotoelectric generator system.

1: Thermophotoelectric power generation system 10: Radiation part 11: Infrared transparent substrate 12: Thermal light conversion element 20: Heat supply part (support part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30: Photoelectric conversion part 31: Photoelectric conversion element 32: Heat absorption part 40: Cooling part 50: Shielding part 51: Light reflector 52: Heat insulating material 60: Space 61: Vacuum vessel 100: Thermophotoelectric generator

Claims (10)

A flat plate-shaped radiation unit having a heat radiation light source that converts heat into radiation light, a heat supply unit that supplies heat supplied from the heat source to the radiation unit, and a photoelectric conversion element that receives the radiation light and generates power In the thermophotovoltaic power generation device provided with a flat photoelectric conversion unit provided with
The radiating unit is erected on the heat supply unit so as to be able to conduct heat from the heat supply unit,
The photoelectric conversion unit is a thermophotovoltaic device provided in the radiation unit in a state where the photoelectric conversion element faces the thermal radiation light source.   2. The photoelectric conversion unit according to claim 1, further comprising a heat absorption unit that is attached to the radiation unit while being supported by a support unit different from the heat supply unit, and further cools the photoelectric conversion element. Thermal light power generator.   The said heat absorption part is formed in flat form, The said photoelectric conversion element is provided in the plane part of the said heat absorption part, The said photoelectric conversion element is connected with the said plane part so that heat conduction is possible. Thermal light power generator.   The thermophotoelectric generator according to claim 3, wherein the surface of the flat portion is mirror-like. The radiation portion includes an infrared transparent substrate formed in a flat plate shape with a material that can transmit infrared rays,
The infrared transparent substrate includes a heat-light conversion element that radiates radiation light having a predetermined wavelength amplified as the heat radiation light source, and is connected to the heat supply unit so as to be able to conduct heat from the heat supply unit. The thermophotovoltaic power generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   The thermophotovoltaic generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the radiation unit and the photoelectric conversion unit are alternately provided.   The thermophotoelectric generator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a shielding unit that shields radiation light from the heat supply unit between the heat supply unit and the photoelectric conversion unit.   The thermophotoelectric generator according to claim 7, wherein the shielding part is a heat insulating material, and the heat insulating material is covered with the heat supply unit.   The thermophotoelectric generator according to claim 7, wherein the shielding part is a light reflector that reflects light, and the light reflector is provided so as to reflect the light toward the heat supply part.   A thermophotoelectric power generation system comprising the thermophotoelectric generator according to any one of claims 1 to 9 in a vacuum vessel.

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