Thermophotovoltaic applications in waste heat recovery systems

Waste heat recovery paths can vary according to different industries. Waste heat recovery paths include heat exchangers, recuperators, heat boilers, passive air heaters, regenerative and economizers and et. all. In addition to this system, the use of thermoelectric and thermophotovoltaic systems for electricity generation has become widespread. While thermoelectric systems work by direct heat conversion of heat, thermophotovoltaic systems provide electricity generation by evaluating the waste heat that is generated during the production of industrial products. Thermophotovoltaic systems, which are considered as alternatives to the existing electricity generation, are cycles that generate electricity from heat and provide waste heat recycling. A thermophotovoltaic system consists of a heat source, a selector-emitter, a filter, a photovoltaic cell and a cooling system. The waste heat from the high temperature heat source passes through the selective emitter and filters and reaches the photovoltaic cell. Photovoltaic cells convert photon energy from the emitter into electrical energy. The obtained linear current can be used in different fields by turning the alternating current.