LOW NOX THERMOPHOTOVOLTAIC GENERATOR

Fiber matrix burners incorporating ''superemissive'' ceramic materials were tested to obtain the relationship between power generation and t he pollutant emissions. The tested variables were the following: equiv alence ratio, fuel input, and inlet air temperature. One important obj ective was to achieve maximum efficiency of electricity generation at the lowest level of NOx emissions. It was found that NOx emission unde r these specific conditions does not depend on inlet air temperature i n the ranges from 20 to 200 degrees C. This phenomena suggests that '' thermal NOx'' is not a significant contributor of NOx emission in thes e types of burners. The test data indicate that the Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) power output increased by a factor of 2 by increasing the combu stion temperature while the NOx emissions were stable. The result of t hese findings is that high efficiency, low polluting(1)TPV-power gener ation is feasible. The basic technology responsible for the low NOx em ission and the electric power generation is being further developed fo r use in high-efficiency appliances, generators, and total energy syst ems.