Journal of Energy Resources Technology.

Received December 15, 2017;

Accepted manuscript posted March 19, 2018. doi:10.1115/1.4039629
Copyright (c) 2018 by ASME

1 Performance assessment and optimization of a thermophotovoltaic

2 converter-thermoelectric generator combined system

3 Tie Liu
4 Department of Physics and Jiujiang Research Institute,
5 Xiamen University,
6 Xiamen 361005, China
7

d
8 Zhimin Yang *

ite
9 Department of Physics and Jiujiang Research Institute,
10 Xiamen University,
11

ed
Xiamen 361005, China
12 E-mail: zhiminyoung@hotmail.com

py
13

14 Abstract: To evaluate the feasibility of the performance enhancement of a thermophotovoltaic converter

Co
15 by using a thermoelectric generator, a new model of a combined system is established, where the
16 ot
thermoelectric generator is attached on the backside of the thermophotovoltaic converter to harvest the
17
tN
heat produced in the thermophotovoltaic converter. The effects of the voltage output of the
18 thermophotovoltaic converter, band gap energy of the thermophotovoltaic converter, dimensionless current
rip

19 of the thermoelectric generator, and emitter temperature on the performance of the combined system are
sc

20 examined numerically. It is found that the performance of the thermophotovoltaic converter can be
21 enhanced by using the thermoelectric generator. The percentage increment of the maximum power output
nu

22 density is larger than that of the maximum efficiency. There are optimally working regions of the converter
Ma

23 voltage, dimensionless current, and band gap energy. The elevated emitter temperature results in the
24 increase of the power output density of the combined system. However, there is an optimal emitter
ed

25 temperature that yields the maximum efficiency of the combined system. Moreover, the thermoelectric
pt

26 generator is not suitable to harvest the heat produced in the thermophotovoltaic converter when the emitter
ce

27 temperature is sufficiently high.

Ac

28

29 Keywords: Thermophotovoltaic converter, Thermoelectric generator, Combined system, Performance

30 evaluation, Optimization
31

*
Corresponding author.

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 03/26/2018 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

Journal of Energy Resources Technology. Received December 15, 2017;
Accepted manuscript posted March 19, 2018. doi:10.1115/1.4039629
Copyright (c) 2018 by ASME

32 1. Introduction

33 A thermophotovoltaic (TPV) converter is a new type of photovoltaic (PV) converter that directly converts
34 heat into electricity [1]. Main advantages of TPV converters are high efficiency, with no moving parts, and
35 scalability [2]. TPV converters are promising alternative to conventional thermoelectric and thermionic
36 converters due to their high efficiency (~25% in the current state of the art devices [2, 3]). Generally, TPV

d
37 converters consist of two main components: an emitter that converts the heat supplied by outer heat

ite
38 sources into spectrally selective thermal emission and a PV cell that produces the electrical power [4].

ed
39 Various heat sources, such as waste heats [5], fossil fuels [6], radioisotopes [7], and solar energy [8], are
40 available.

py
41 The performance of the TPV converter is governed by many parameters, including the materials of

Co
42 the emitter and the PV cell and the geometry structure of the TPV converter. Wang et al. [9] reported that

43 the internal quantum efficiency of GaInAsSb/GaSb is ~90% at 1.6 µm under a lower temperature of 525ºC.
ot
44 Nam et al. [10] analyzed the solar thermophotovoltaic system with 2D tantalum photonic crystals (Ta PhCs)
tN

45 absorbers and emitters, and the absorber-to-electrical solar thermophotovoltaic efficiency is as high
rip

46 as~10%. Bernardi et al. [11] analyzed the performances of a nano-gap thermophotovoltaic converter in
47
sc

which several losses including the radiative, electrical, and thermal losses are considered.
48 However, the emitter should be operated at a high temperature to obtain the high power output density
nu

49 [12]. This may increase the PV cell temperature and degrade the efficiency significantly [13]. Therefore, it
Ma

50 is important to reduce the temperature of PV cell in the TPV. If the heat released from the PV cell can be
51 exploited to generate additional electricity, the efficiency of energy conversion can be enhanced.
ed

52 Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) are widely used to harvest the waste heat [14-18]. Combining the PV
pt

53 cell and the TEG together as a combined system is a common approach to harvest the heat produced in the
ce

54 PV cell. Many hybrid systems consisting of the PV cell and the TEG have been reported. For example,
55
Ac

Sark [19] theoretically predicted the efficiency enhancement of 8-23% for the PV-TEG combined system.
56 Dallan et al. [20] reported that the power output of the PV cell can be increased up to 39% by using the
57 TEG. However, Lin et al. [21] found that the efficiency of the PV cell alone is generally higher than that of
58 the PV-TEG combined system. Based on the above studies, the TPV-TEG combined system should be
59 assessed because the conversion efficiency of the TPV may be improved by using the TEG. Qiu et al. [22]

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 03/26/2018 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

Journal of Energy Resources Technology. Received December 15, 2017;
Accepted manuscript posted March 19, 2018. doi:10.1115/1.4039629
Copyright (c) 2018 by ASME

60 designed a prototype cascading GaSb TPV and TEG and found that the TEG can be used to improve the
61 efficiency of the TPV-TEG system. Besides, researches on TPV-TEG combined systems are rarely reported
62 [23]. Therefore, it is of great significance to assess and optimize the performance of the TPV-TEG system.
63 In this study, a combined system composed of the TPV and the TEG is proposed. The performance of
64 the combined system is numerically assessed and optimized. The effects of the converter voltage, band gap
65 energy of the TPV, dimensionless current, and emitter temperature on the performance of the TPV-TEG

d
66

ite
combined system are discussed.

ed
67 2. Model description

py
68 The schematic diagram of the TPV-TEG combined system is depicted in Fig. 1, in which the TPV is

Co
69 mainly composed of the emitter and the PV cell with a back surface reflector. The emitter converts the
70 supplied heat into thermal radiation impinging on the PV cell. The electric energy and thermal energy are
71
ot
generated from the PV cell. The thermal energy is rejected to the environment. The TEG is placed at the
tN
72 back side of the PV cell to collect the heat rejected from the PV cell. Assuming that the system is insulated

73 from two sides, one-dimensional heat transfer is considered. In Fig. 1, qn is the net heat flow from the
rip

74 emitter to the PV cell, q1 is the heat flow from the PV cell to the hot side of the TEG, q2 is the heat flow
sc

75 from the cold side of the TEG to the ambient, Te , Tc , T1 , T2 , and T0 are the temperatures of the
nu

76 emitter, PV cell, hot and cold side of the TEG, and environment, respectively. It should be pointed out that
Ma

77 there exist thermal contact resistances between the TPV and the TEG, which are dependent on the filled
78 material. These thermal contact resistances will alter the performance of the combined system. The higher
ed

79 the thermal conductivity of the filled material is, the smaller the thermal contact resistance and the better
pt

80 the performance of the combined system. In the design of the TPV-TEG combined system, the materials
ce

81 with high thermal conductivities are adopted as far as possible to fill the interface between the TPV and the
82 TEG so that the effects of these thermal contact resistances are assumed to be negligible [24, 25].
Ac

83

84 The energy flow of the TPV converter is shown in Fig. 1. The thermal emission from the emitter
85 impinges on the surface of the PV cell. The PV cell absorbs the incident photons with energy higher than
86 the band gap energy to generate electron-hole pair. The radiative recombination of electron-hole pairs
87 comes from spontaneous emission of the PV cell. The non-absorbed photons are reflected by the back

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 03/26/2018 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

Journal of Energy Resources Technology. Received December 15, 2017;
Accepted manuscript posted March 19, 2018. doi:10.1115/1.4039629
Copyright (c) 2018 by ASME

88 surface reflector and re-absorbed by the emitter. It is assumed that the areas of the emitter and the PV cell

89 are identical. Datas and Algora [26] derived the expression of qn as

∞ E3 ∞ E3
2p
∫0 exp [ E / ( K BTe ) ] − 1
dE − Fec ∫
Eg exp
( E − eVc ) / ( K BTc ) − 1
dE
90 qn = 3 2 Ae , (1)
hc A g Fec2 Eg E3
− e
Ac 1 − g Fcc ∫
0 exp [ E / ( K BTe ) ] − 1
dE

d
91 and the current density generated in the TPV converter can be expressed as

ite
Ae ∞ E2 ∞ E2
Fec ∫ dE − (1 − Fcc ) ∫ dE
[ B e ] ( E − eVc ) / ( K BTc ) − 1

ed
Eg exp E / ( K T ) − 1
2p e Ac
Eg exp
92 ic = 3 2 , (2)
hc ∞ E2
−n (1 − g ) ∫
2
dE

py
Eg exp
( E − eVc ) / ( K BTc ) − 1

Co
93 where Ac and Ae are the areas of the PV cell and emitter, Eg is the band gap energy of the PV cell, e

94 is the elementary charge, c is the speed of light, h is the Planck constant, K B is the Boltzmann
ot
95 constant, Fec is the emitter-cell view factor, Fcc is the cell-cell view factor, Vc is the voltage output, n
tN

96 is the refractive index of the PV cell, and g is the reflectivity. The power output of the TPV converter can
rip

97 be obtained as
sc

Ae ∞ E2 ∞ E2
Fec ∫ dE − (1 − Fcc ) ∫ dE
98 2p e Ac [ B e ]
Eg exp E / ( K T ) − 1 Eg exp
( E − eVc ) / ( K BTc ) − 1
Pc = Vc ic Ac = Vc 3 2 Ac . (3)
nu

hc ∞ E2
−n (1 − g ) ∫
2
dE
Eg exp
( E − eVc ) / ( K BTc ) − 1
Ma

99 The thermoelectric generator consists of large numbers of n-and p-type semiconductor legs connected
100
ed

electrically in series and thermally in parallel, as shown in Fig. 1. The heat flows through the hot and cold
101 sides of the TEG can be expressed as [27]
pt

102 q1 = α I gT1 − I g2 R 2 + K (T1 − T2 ) (4)

ce

103 and
Ac

104 q2 = α I gT2 + I g2 R 2 + K (T1 − T2 ) , (5)

105 where Ig is the electric current, (

α = N α p + αn ) is the Seebeck coefficient,

106 R = N ( rp l p Ap + rn ln An ) is the electrical resistance, K = N (κ p Ap l p + κ n An ln ) is the thermal

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 03/26/2018 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

Journal of Energy Resources Technology. Received December 15, 2017;
Accepted manuscript posted March 19, 2018. doi:10.1115/1.4039629
Copyright (c) 2018 by ASME

107 conductance, N is the couple number of the thermoelectric elements, α p and α n are the Seebeck

108 coefficients of the p- and n-type semiconductors, κ p and κ n are the thermal conductivities of the p- and

109 n-type semiconductors, rp and rn are the electrical resistivities of the p- and n-type semiconductors, and

110 An and ln are the cross-sectional area and length of thermoelectric elements. R and K can be

111 expressed as (
R = N rp + (r r κ ) κ )l Ap and (
K = N κp + (κ κ r ) )
rp Ap l p when the

d
p n n p p p n n

ite
112 geometric configuration of the thermoelectric device is optimal and ln An = ( l p Ap ) κ n rp (κ r ) [28].
p n

ed
113 The material properties of n-and p-type semiconductors are dependent on the temperature and are given by

py
114 [29-31]

Co
α = α p − (−α n ) = ( 44448 + 1861.2Tm − 1.981Tm2 ) × 10−9 V/K
115 rp = rn = ( 5112 + 163.4Tm + 0.6279Tm2 ) × 10−10 W m , (6)
κ p = κ n = ( 62605 − 277.7Tm + 0.4131Tm2 ) × 10−4 W/ ( m K )
ot
tN
116 where Tm = (T1 + T2 ) 2 .
rip

117 In addition, the heat q1 absorbed from the TPV converter to the hot side of the TEG and the heat q2

118 released from the cold side of the TEG to the environment are assumed to be irreversible, which can be
sc

119 expressed as [32]

nu

120 q1 = A1k1 (Tc − T1 ) (7)

Ma

121 and

122 q2 = A2 k2 (T2 − T0 ) , (8)

ed

123 where k1 and A1 are the heat transfer coefficient and area between the PV cell and the hot side of the
pt

124 TEG, and k2 and A2 are the heat transfer coefficient and area between the cold side of the TEG and the
ce

125 environment.
Ac

126 Based on Eqs. (4) and (5), the power output of the TEG is given by

127 Pg = q1 − q2 = K (T1 − T2 )ig − ig2 Z , (9)

128 where ig = α I g K is the dimensionless current and Z = α 2 KR is the figure of merit. Moreover, the

129 TEG should be operated in the region of 0 < ig < (T1 − T2 ) Z to ensure the TEG operation normally.

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 03/26/2018 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

Journal of Energy Resources Technology. Received December 15, 2017;
Accepted manuscript posted March 19, 2018. doi:10.1115/1.4039629
Copyright (c) 2018 by ASME

130 Based on the energy conservation law and Fig. 1, the energy balance equations of the hot and cold
131 sides of the TEG as well as the PV cell are

132 α I gT1 − I g2 R 2 + K (T1 − T2 ) = A1k1 (Tc − T1 ) , (10)

133 α I gT2 + I g2 R 2 + K (T1 − T2 ) = A2 k2 (T2 − T0 ) , (11)

134 and

d
−1

ite
135 ln κ pκ n rn
qn* − Pc* − k L (1 − a ) (Tc − T0 ) = a l p + κp + ig T1 − ig 2 2Z + (T1 − T2 ) , (12)
(κ κ ) κ κ
n p p n
rp

ed
136 where a = At Ae , k L is the heat leakage coefficient, and At = N ( An + Ap ) is the total area of the TEG.

py
137 Finally, the power output and efficiency of the combined system can be calculated by

Co
−1

138 ln κ pκ n rn
P = Pg + Pc = At l p + κp + (T1 − T2 ) ig − ig2 Z + Vc ic Ac (13)
(κ r ) κ
n p p rn
rp ot
tN
139 and

−1
rip

ln κ pκ n rn
140 a lp + κp + (T1 − T2 ) ig − ig2 Z + Vc ic
Pg + Pc (κ r ) κ
n p p rn
rp , (14)
η=
sc

=
qn qn*
nu

141 where qn* = qn / Ae .

142
Ma

143 3. Results and discussion

ed

144 In the following discussion, the numerical study is implemented to evaluate and optimize the performance
pt

145 of the TPV-TEG combined system based on the parameters listed as follows [33]: Fec = 1 , Fcc = 0 , n = 3.5 ,
ce

146 g = 0.9 , k1 = 3000 W K −1 m −2 , k2 = 2000 W K −1 m −2 , k L = 5 W K −1 m −2 , ln = l p = 1 × 10−3 m , and

Ac

147 T0 = 300 K . The values of these parameters are kept constant unless mentioned specially.

148 By combining Eqs. (10)-(12), Tc , T1 , and T2 can be solved so that η and P can be obtained.

149 Figure 2 shows three-dimensional graphs of the (a) efficiency η , (b) power output density P* = P / Ac ,

150 temperatures of the (c) PV cell as well as the (d) hot and (e) cold sides of the TEG varying with the

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 03/26/2018 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

Journal of Energy Resources Technology. Received December 15, 2017;
Accepted manuscript posted March 19, 2018. doi:10.1115/1.4039629
Copyright (c) 2018 by ASME

151 converter voltage Vc and the dimensionless current ig . As seen in Fig. 2(a) and (b), there are optimal Vc

152 and ig that yield the maximum η and P* , respectively. For the TPV, both the power output density and

153 efficiency initially increase and then reach, respectively, the maximum values with the increase of the
154 converter voltage, because the decrease of the current density due to the increase of the radiative
155 recombination is less than the increase of the converter voltage. The radiative recombination becomes

d
156 significant when the converter voltage is further increased, leading to the evident decrease of the current

ite
157 density. Therefore, the power output density and efficiency of the TPV are decreased at a high converter

ed
158 voltage. For the TEG, the power generated due to the heat conductance is larger than the Joule heat at a low

py
159 ig . When the TEG is operated at the case of a high ig , the Joule heat becomes significant. Thus, the power

160 output density of the TEG is decreased at a high ig . As a result, the maximum η and P* occur. Figs. 2(c)

Co
161 and (d) display the same trend. The Tc and T1 initially decrease and then increase with the increase of
ot
162 Vc for a fixed ig , while they decrease linearly as ig increases for a given Vc . In Fig. 2(e), T2 first
tN

163 decreases and then increases as ig and Vc increase. These trends can be explained as follows: the increase
rip

164 of Vc leads to an increase in the power output density of the TPV, causing the decrease of the heat
sc

165 released from the TPV. The power output density of the TPV reduces with the further increase of Vc after
nu

166 reaching a maximum value, which results in the increase of the heat released from the TPV. As a result, Tc ,
Ma

167 T1 , and T2 first decrease and then increase with the increase of Vc for a fixed ig . When Vc is fixed,

168 the Joule heat is increased with the increase of ig . According to Eqs. (10) and (11), the heat absorbed q1
ed

169 from the TPV is reduced, while the heat released q2 from the cold side of the TEG is increased. When ig
pt

170 is small, the heat conductance is dominant. Therefore, Tc and T1 are decreased significantly, while T2
ce

171 decreases slightly. When ig is large, q1 decreases, while q2 increases due to the significant increase of
Ac

172 the Joule heat. Thus, Tc and T1 decrease, while T2 increases slightly. Therefore, ig and Vc should

173 be selected appropriately so that the highest η and P* can be achieved.

174

175 Based on Fig. 2, ig can be optimized for each Vc and then η and P* versus the converter

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 03/26/2018 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

Journal of Energy Resources Technology. Received December 15, 2017;
Accepted manuscript posted March 19, 2018. doi:10.1115/1.4039629
Copyright (c) 2018 by ASME

176 voltage can be plotted in Fig. 3(a). Similarly, η and P* versus ig are shown in Fig. 3 (b), where Vc

177 has been optimized. Fig. 3 shows that there are optimal converter voltages and dimensionless currents

178 corresponding to the maximum η and P* , while the optimal values at the maximum η and P* are

179 different because the net heat flow qn is a function of the converter voltage and the temperatures of the

180 emitter and PV cell. Therefore, there are optimally working regions of the converter voltage and

d
181 dimensionless current for given parameters ( Eg , Te , and a ) , which can be expressed as

ite
182 Vc ,η ≥ Vc ≥ Vc , p (15)

ed
183 and

py
184 ig , p ≥ ig ≥ ig ,η . (16)

Co
185 Moreover, it can be seen from Fig.3 that the optimally working regions of the converter voltage and the
186 dimensionless current are relatively narrow.
187
ot
tN

188 In order to compare the performances of the TPV converter and the TPV-TEG combined system, the
rip

189 efficiencies and power output densities of the TPV converter and the TPV-TEG combined system versus

190 the band gap energy Eg are shown in Fig. 4, where Vc and ig have been optimized. Fig. 4 shows that
sc

191 the maximum power output density of the combined system is 3.30 W m -2 , which is 1.04 times larger
nu

192 than that (3.18 W m-2) of the TPV converter. The maximum efficiency of the combined system is 37.3%,
Ma

193 which is 1.02 times of the maximum efficiency (36.7%) of the TPV converter. Fig. 4 indicates that the
194 performance of the combined system can be enhanced by using the TEG.
ed

195 Moreover, it is observed from Fig. 4 that there is an optimally working region of the band gap energy
pt

196 for the combined system, which is given by

ce

197 Eg,η ≥ Eg ≥ Eg,p . (17)

Ac

198 Equation (17) shows that the band gap energy of the optimally working region is relatively broad. Many
199 suitable semiconductor materials, such as InAs (0.35eV), PbS (0.37eV), and GaInAs (0.477eV), can be
200 selected.
201

202

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 03/26/2018 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

Journal of Energy Resources Technology. Received December 15, 2017;
Accepted manuscript posted March 19, 2018. doi:10.1115/1.4039629
Copyright (c) 2018 by ASME

203 In order to further examine the effect of the emitter temperature on the performance of the combined
204 system, the maximum efficiency and the power output density of the combined system and the TPV under

205 different emitter temperatures are calculated and listed in Tab.1 for a = 0.8 , where Eg , Vc , and ig have

206 been optimized. As seen in Tab. 1, the maximum power output density monotonously increases when the
207 emitter temperature ranges from 1100 K to 1900K, while there is a maximum efficiency occurring at

Te = 1500 K . In addition, the percentage increment [(ηmax − ηmax,c ) ηmax,c ] × 100% of the maximum

d
208

ite
209 efficiency of the combined system with respect to the TPV is, respectively, 1.63% and 2.98% at

ed
210 Te = 1300 K and Te = 1700 K . The percentage increment [( Pmax
*
− Pmax,
*
c ) Pmax,c ] × 100% of the maximum
*

py
211 power output density of the combined system with respect to the TPV is, respectively, 3.77% and 4.42% at

Co
212 Te = 1300 K and Te = 1700 K . The optimally working region of the band gap energy is broadened as the

213 emitter temperature increases. Moreover, there is an optimally working region of the emitter temperature,

214
ot
but the PV cell temperature is as high as 500 K at Te = 1500 K . According to Eq. (9), the properties of the
tN
215 thermoelectric materials depend on their temperatures and the optimal temperature of the thermoelectric
rip

216 materials is around 470 K. Thus, the TPV-TEG combined system should be operated in the region of

217 Te < 1500 K .

sc

218
nu

219 4. Conclusions
Ma

220 The combined system consisting of the TPV and the TEG has been established and its performances are
221 assessed numerically. There are optimally working regions of the converter voltage, dimensionless current,
ed

222 and band gap energy in the combined system. The optimally working regions of the converter voltage and
pt

223 dimensionless current are narrow. The percentage increment of the maximum power output density is
ce

224 larger than that of the maximum efficiency. The percentage increments of the maximum power output
225
Ac

density and efficiency of the combined system with respect to the TPV are 3.77% and 1.63% at

226 Te = 1300 K . When the emitter temperature is increased, the extreme value of the maximum efficiency

227 occurs at Te = 1500 K and the maximum power output density monotonously increases. The percentage

228 increments of the maximum power output density and efficiency of the combined system with respect to

229 the TPV are 4.42% and 2.98% at Te = 1700 K . Moreover, the elevated emitter temperature leads to the

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 03/26/2018 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

Journal of Energy Resources Technology. Received December 15, 2017;
Accepted manuscript posted March 19, 2018. doi:10.1115/1.4039629
Copyright (c) 2018 by ASME

230 optimally working region of the band gap energy broadens.

231 Nomenclature

A =cross-sectional of thermoelectric legs (m2)

A1 =heat transfer area between the PV cell and the hot side of the TEG (m2)
A2 =heat transfer area between the cold side of the TEG and the environment (m2)
Ac =area of the PV cell (m2)
Ae =area of the emitter (m2)
At =total area of the TEG (m2)
c =speed of light (m/s)

d
e =elementary charge (C)

ite
Eg =band gap energy of the PV cell (eV)
Fcc =cell-cell view factor
Fec =emitter-cell view factor

ed
h =Planck constant (J s)
ic =current density of the PV cell (A/m2)
ig

py
=dimensionless current of the TEG
Ig =electric current of the TEG (A)
k1 =heat transfer coefficient between the PV cell and the hot side of the TEG (W/(K m2))

Co
k2 =heat transfer coefficient between the cold side of the TEG and the environment (W/(K
m2))
k L = heat leakage coefficient (W/(K m2))
K = thermal conductance (W/K) ot
K B = Boltzmann constant (J/K)
l = length of thermoelectric element (m)
tN
n = refractive index of the PV cell
N = couple number of the thermoelectric elements
P = output power (W)
rip

qn = net heat flow from the emitter to the PV cell (W)

q1 = heat flow from the PV cell to the hot side of the TEG (W)
q2 = heat flow from the cold side of the TEG to the ambient (W)
sc

r = electrical resistivity ( Ωm )
R = electrical resistance ( Ω )
nu

T0 = temperature of the environment (K)

T1 = temperature of the hot cold side of the TEG (K)
T2 = temperature of the cold side of the TEG (K)
Ma

Tc = temperature of the PV cell (K)

Te = temperature of the emitter (K)
Vc = voltage output (V)
ed

Z = figure of merit (1/K)

Greek Symbols
α = Seebeck coefficient (V/K)
pt

η = efficiency
κ = thermal conductivities (W/(m K))
g = reflectivity
ce

Subscripts
c = TPV converter
Ac

e = emitter
g = thermoelectric generator
n = n-type semiconductor
p = p-type semiconductor
Acronyms
TPV = thermophotovoltaic
TEG = thermoelectric generator
232

10

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 03/26/2018 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

Journal of Energy Resources Technology. Received December 15, 2017;
Accepted manuscript posted March 19, 2018. doi:10.1115/1.4039629
Copyright (c) 2018 by ASME

233 References
234 [1]Green, M. A., 2002, “Third generation photovoltaics: solar cells for 2020 and beyond,” Physica E.,
235 14(1-2), p. 65-70.
236 [2] Datas, A., and Martí, A., 2017, “Thermophotovoltaic energy in space applications: Review and future
237 potential,” Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells, 161, p. 285-296.
238 [3]Wernsman, B., Siergiej, R. R., Link, S. D., Mahorter, R. G., Palmisiano, M. N., Wehrer, R. J., Schultz,

d
ite
239 R. W., Schmuck, G. P., Messham, R. L., Murrary, S., Murray, C.S., Newman, F., Taylor, D., DePoy, D. M.,
240 and Rahmlow, T., 2004, “Greater than 20% radiant heat conversion efficiency of a thermophotovoltaic

ed
241 radiator/module system using reflective spectral control,” IEEE Trans. Electr. Dev., 51(3), p. 512-515.

py
242 [4] Datas, A., 2015, “Optimum semiconductor bandgaps in single junction and multijunction

Co
243 thermophotovoltaic converters,” Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells, 134, p. 275-290.
244 [5] Yang, Z., Peng, W., Liao, T., Zhao, Y., Lin, G., and Chen, J., 2017, “An efficient method exploiting the
245
ot
waste heat from a direct carbon fuel cell by means of a thermophotovoltaic cell,” Energy Convers.
tN
246 Manage., 149(1), p. 424-431.
247
rip

[6] Zenker, M., Heinzel, A., Stollwerck, G., Ferber, J., and Luther, J., 2001, “Efficiency and power density
248 potential of combustion-driven thermophotovoltaic systems using GaSb photovoltaic cells,” IEEE Trans.
sc

249 Electr. Dev., 48(2), p. 367-376.

nu

250 [7] Crowley, C. J., Elkouh, N. A., Murray, S., Chubb, D. L., 2005, “Thermophotovoltaic converter
251
Ma

performance for radioisotope power systems” Space Technology and Applications International
252 Forum-STAIF, Albuquerque, NM, p. 601-614.
ed

253 [8] Chaudhuri, T. K., 1992, “A solar thermophotovoltaic converter using Pbs photovoltaic cells,” Int. J.
254 Energy Res., 16(6), p. 481-487.
pt

255 [9] Wang, C. A., Choi, H. K., Ransom, S. L., Charache, G. W., Danielson, L. R., and DePoy, D. M., 1999,
ce

256 “High-quantum-efficiency 0.5 eV GaInAsSb/GaSb thermophotovoltaic devices,” Appl. Phys. Lett., 75(9),
Ac

257 p. 1305-1307.
258 [10] Nam, Y., Yeng, Y. X., Lenert, A., Bermel, P., Celanovic, I., Soljačić, M., and Wang, E. N., 2014,
259 “Solar thermophotovoltaic energy conversion systems with two-dimensional tantalum photonic crystal
260 absorbers and emitters,” Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells, 122, p. 287-296.
261 [11] Bernardi, M. P., Dupré, O., Blandre, E., Chapuis, P. O., Vaillon, R., and Francoeur, M., 2015, “Impacts

11

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 03/26/2018 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

Journal of Energy Resources Technology. Received December 15, 2017;
Accepted manuscript posted March 19, 2018. doi:10.1115/1.4039629
Copyright (c) 2018 by ASME

262 of propagating, frustrated and surface modes on radiative, electrical and thermal losses in nanoscale-gap
263 thermophotovoltaic power generators,” Sci. Rep., 5, p. 11626.
264 [12] Yang, Z., Wang, J., Chen, X., and Lin, G., 2018, “Parametric optimum design criteria of a
265 thermophotovoltaic cell,” Environ. Prog. Sustainable Energy, 37(1), p. 513-517.
266 [13] Fesharaki, V. J., Dehghani, M., Fesharaki, J. J., and Tavasoli, H., 2011, “The effect of temperature on
267 photovoltaic cell efficiency,” 2011 First International Conference on Emerging Trends in Energy

d
268

ite
Conservation–ETEC, Tehran, Iran, p. 20-21.
269 [14] Crane, D. T., and Bell, L. E., 2009, “Design to maximize performance of a thermoelectric power

ed
270 generator with a dynamic thermal power source,” ASME J. Energy Resour. Technol., 131(1), p. 012401.

py
271 [15] Schock, H., Brereton, G., Case, E., D’Angelo, J., Hogan, T., Lyle, M., Maloney, R., Moran, K.,

Co
272 Novak, J., Nelson, C., Panayi, A., Ruckle, T., Sakamoto, J., Shih, T., Timm, E., Zhang, L., and Zhu, G.,
273 2013, “Prospects for implementation of thermoelectric generators as waste heat recovery systems in class 8
274
ot
truck applications,” ASME J. Energy Resour. Technol., 135(2), p. 022001.
tN
275 [16] Hendricks, T. J., 2007, “Thermal system interactions in optimizing advanced thermoelectric energy
276 recovery systems,” ASME J. Energy Resour. Technol., 129(3), p. 223-231.
rip

277 [17] Lin, J., Liao, T., and Lin, B., 2015, “Performance analysis and load matching of a
sc

278 photovoltaic–thermoelectric hybrid system,” Energy Convers. Manage., 105(15), p. 891-899.

nu

279 [18] Yang, P., Zhu, Y., Zhang, P., Zhang, H. C., Hu, Z., and Zhang, J., 2014, “Performance evaluation of
280 an alkaline fuel cell/thermoelectric generator hybrid system,” Int. J. Hydrogen Energy., 39(22), p.
Ma

281 11756-11762.
282
ed

[19]Van Sark, W., 2011, “Feasibility of photovoltaic–thermoelectric hybrid modules,” Appl. Energy, 88(8),
283 p. 2785-2790.
pt

284 [20] Dallan, B. S., Schumann, J., and Lesage, F. J, 2015, “Performance evaluation of a
ce

285 photoelectric–thermoelectric cogeneration combined system,” Sol. Energy, 118, p. 276-285.

Ac

286 [21] Lin, W., Shih, T. M., Zheng, J. C., Zhang, Y., and Chen, J., 2014, “Coupling of temperatures and
287 power outputs in hybrid photovoltaic and thermoelectric modules,” Int. J. Heat Mass Transf., 74, p.
288 121-127.
289 [22] Qiu, K., and Hayden, A. C. S., 2012, “Development of a novel cascading TPV and TE power
290 generation system,” Appl. Energy., 91(1), p. 304-308.

12

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 03/26/2018 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

Journal of Energy Resources Technology. Received December 15, 2017;
Accepted manuscript posted March 19, 2018. doi:10.1115/1.4039629
Copyright (c) 2018 by ASME

291 [23] Huen, P., and Daoud, W. A., 2017, “Advances in hybrid solar photovoltaic and thermoelectric
292 generators,” Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., 72, p. 1295-1302.
293 [24] Bjørk. R., 2015, “The universal influence of contact resistance on the efficiency of a thermoelectric
294 generator,” J. Electron Mater., 44(8), p. 2869-2876.
295 [25] Hapenciuc, C, L., Borca-Tasciuc, T., Mihailescu, I, N., 2017, “The relationship between the
296 thermoelectric generator efficiency and the device engineering figure of merit Zd, eng. The maximum

d
297

ite
efficiency 𝜼 max,” AIP Adv., 7(4), p. 045007.
298 [26] Datas, A., and Algora, C., 2010, “Detailed balance analysis of solar thermophotovoltaic systems made

ed
299 up of single junction photovoltaic cells and broadband thermal emitters,” Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. cells,

py
300 94(12), p. 2137-2147.

Co
301 [27] Fuqiang, C., Yanji, H., and Chao, Z., 2014, “A physical model for thermoelectric generators with and
302 without Thomson heat,” ASME J. Energy Resour. Technol., 136(1), p. 011201.
303
ot
[28] Chen, X., Pan, Y., and Chen, J., 2010, “Performance and evaluation of a fuel cell–thermoelectric
tN
304 generator combined system,” Fuel Cells, 10(6), p. 1164-1170.
305 [29] Riffat, S, B., Ma, X., and Wilson, R., 2006, “Performance simulation and experimental testing of a
rip

306 novel thermoelectric heat pump system,” Appl. Therm. Eng., 6(5-6), p. 494-501.
sc

307 [30] Ahiska, R., and Ahiska, K., 2010, “New method for investigation of parameters of real thermoelectric
nu

308 modules,” Energy Convers. Manage., 51(2), p. 338-345.

309 [31] Mansouri, N., Timm, E. J., Schock, H. J., Sahoo, D., and Kotrba, A., 2016, “Development of a
Ma

310 Circular Thermoelectric Skutterudite Couple Using Compression Technology,” ASME J. Energy Resour.
ed

311 Technol., 138(5), p. 052003.

312 [32] Chen, J., and Wu, C., 2000, “Analysis on the performance of a thermoelectric generator,” ASME J.
pt

313 Energy Resour. Technol., 122(2), p. 61-63.

ce

314 [33] Datas, A., and Algora, C., 2013, “Global optimization of solar thermophotovoltaic systems,” Prog.
Ac

315 Photovoltaics: Res. Appl., 21(5), p. 1040-1055.

316

317

318

319

13

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 03/26/2018 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

Journal of Energy Resources Technology. Received December 15, 2017;
Accepted manuscript posted March 19, 2018. doi:10.1115/1.4039629
Copyright (c) 2018 by ASME

320 Figure Captions

321 Fig. 1. The schematic diagram of the TPV-TEG combined system.

322 Fig. 2. Three-dimensional graphs of the (a) efficiency η , (b) power output density P* , and temperatures

323 of the (c) PV cell as well as the (d) hot- and (e) cold-sides of the TEG varying with the converter voltage

324 Vc and dimensionless current ig for a = 0.8 , Te = 1300 K , and Eg = 0.40 eV .

Fig. 3. The efficiency η and the power output density P* versus (a) the converter voltage and (b) the

d
325

ite
326 dimensionless current for a = 0.8 , Te = 1300 K , and Eg = 0.40 eV , where ig and Vc have been

ed
327 optimized, respectively.

py
328 Fig. 4. The efficiency and the power output density versus the band gap energy Eg for a = 0.8 and

Co
329 Te = 1300 K , where Vc and ig have been optimized, Eg , p is the optimal band gap energy at the

330 *
maximum power output density Pmax of the combined system, and Eg ,η is the optimal band gap energy
ot
331 at the maximum efficiency ηmax of the combined system.
tN

332
rip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

14

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 03/26/2018 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

Journal of Energy Resources Technology. Received December 15, 2017;
Accepted manuscript posted March 19, 2018. doi:10.1115/1.4039629
Copyright (c) 2018 by ASME

333 Table Caption

334 Table 1. The maximum efficiency and power output density as well as the corresponding band gap energy
335 and converter temperature under different emitter temperatures.
336

d
ite
ed
py
Co
ot
tN
rip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

15

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 03/26/2018 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

Journal of Energy Resources Technology. Received December 15, 2017;
Accepted manuscript posted March 19, 2018. doi:10.1115/1.4039629
Copyright (c) 2018 by ASME

337

d
ite
ed
py
338 Fig. 1

Co
339

ot
tN
rip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

16

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 03/26/2018 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

Journal of Energy Resources Technology. Received December 15, 2017;
Accepted manuscript posted March 19, 2018. doi:10.1115/1.4039629
Copyright (c) 2018 by ASME

340

d
ite
ed
341 Fig. 2a

py
342

Co
ot
tN
rip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

17

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 03/26/2018 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

Journal of Energy Resources Technology. Received December 15, 2017;
Accepted manuscript posted March 19, 2018. doi:10.1115/1.4039629
Copyright (c) 2018 by ASME

343

344

d
ite
ed
py
345 Fig. 2b
346

Co
ot
tN
rip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

18

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 03/26/2018 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

Journal of Energy Resources Technology. Received December 15, 2017;
Accepted manuscript posted March 19, 2018. doi:10.1115/1.4039629
Copyright (c) 2018 by ASME

347

348

d
ite
ed
py
349 Fig.2c
350

Co
ot
tN
rip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

19

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 03/26/2018 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

Journal of Energy Resources Technology. Received December 15, 2017;
Accepted manuscript posted March 19, 2018. doi:10.1115/1.4039629
Copyright (c) 2018 by ASME

351

352

d
ite
ed
py
353 Fig. 2d
354

Co
ot
tN
rip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

20

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 03/26/2018 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

Journal of Energy Resources Technology. Received December 15, 2017;
Accepted manuscript posted March 19, 2018. doi:10.1115/1.4039629
Copyright (c) 2018 by ASME

355

356

d
ite
ed
py
357 Fig.2e
358

Co
ot
tN
rip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

21

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 03/26/2018 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

Journal of Energy Resources Technology. Received December 15, 2017;
Accepted manuscript posted March 19, 2018. doi:10.1115/1.4039629
Copyright (c) 2018 by ASME

359

d
ite
ed
360 Fig.3a

py
361

Co
ot
tN
rip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

22

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 03/26/2018 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

Journal of Energy Resources Technology. Received December 15, 2017;
Accepted manuscript posted March 19, 2018. doi:10.1115/1.4039629
Copyright (c) 2018 by ASME

362

363

d
ite
ed
py
364 Fig. 3b
365

Co
ot
tN
rip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

23

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 03/26/2018 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

Journal of Energy Resources Technology. Received December 15, 2017;
Accepted manuscript posted March 19, 2018. doi:10.1115/1.4039629
Copyright (c) 2018 by ASME

366

d
ite
ed
367 Fig. 4

py
368

Co
ot
tN
rip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

24

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 03/26/2018 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use

Journal of Energy Resources Technology. Received December 15, 2017;
Accepted manuscript posted March 19, 2018. doi:10.1115/1.4039629
Copyright (c) 2018 by ASME

369 Table 1

Te ( K ) ηmax ηmax,c Eg ,η Tc ,η *
Pmax *
Pmax,c Eg , p Tc , p
(eV) (eV)
(K ) (W m -2 ) (W m -2 ) (K )

1100 0.348 0.345 0.402 334 1.64 1.60 0.232 368

1300 0.373 0.367 0.495 363 3.30 3.18 0.292 421

d
1500 0.382 0.373 0.588 403 5.64 5.39 0.358 500

ite
1700 0.380 0.369 0.700 455 8.51 8.15 0.448 588

ed
1900 0.370 0.357 0.814 523 11.7 11.3 0.560 680

370

py
Co
ot
tN
rip
sc
nu
Ma
ed
pt
ce
Ac

25

Downloaded From: http://energyresources.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 03/26/2018 Terms of Use: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/terms-of-use