THERMOPHOTOVOLTAIC
(TPV) GENERATION OF POWER
(The Midnight Sun Generator)
The Vehicle Research Institute (VRI) at Western Washington University and JX Crystals of Issaquah are developing a thermophotovoltaic (TPV) generator. To generate power, fuel is contiguously burned in a ceramic tube which glows red-hot. The photovoltaic cells which surround the tube receive the infrared (IR) photons from this emitter and convert them to electric power. In effect, "solar" cells are used with a small manmade "sun" created by burning methane. However, because this "sun" is only 1" away from the cell, IR power intensities at the cell are one thousand times higher than the sunlight on the roof of a car. Unlike an internal combustion engine, fuel is burned continuously without periodic explosions. Combustion is complete and clean.
Because this "thermophotovoltaic" generator will operate on demand day or night and not just when the sun is shining it is being called "The Midnight Sun Generator". The generator will have many other applications besides power a vehicle. It can also supply heat as well as electricity for mountain cabins, recreational vehicles, or boats, etc.
The first thermophotovoltaic (TPV) generator was developed at Western Washington University Feb. 22, 1994. JX Crystals Inc. was the industry partner and made the gallium antimonide (GaSb) photovoltaic (PV) cells and filters. This single burner generator was capable of running a small television. It was funded by a $20,000 grant from The Washington Technology Center with matching funds from JX Crystals.
In August 1994 Western Washington University received a $900,000 grant over three years from the US Dept. of Energy’s Advanced Energy Projects to develop and 8 burner TPV unit suitable for installation in a vehicle. The TPV8 installed in Viking 29 was the result.
In April of 1995 Western Washington University received $900,000/year renewable for 5 years Multidisciplinary Research Program grant from the US Dept. of Defense to build a multi-fuel TPV generator.
JX Crystals of Issaquah, Washington has been the industry partner in all these grants and has continued to make all the cells and filters and mounts them on the circuit boards for the generators. A close relationship has developed between Dr. Michael Seal the PI on WWU’s contracts, the VRI staff and Dr. Lewis Fraas, CEO of JX Crystals and their staff with ongoing consulting on the design of all aspects of the research. It is expected that JX Crystals will take the product to market. JX Crystals is currently marketing a unit for boats that provides heat as well as trickle charging the battery.
To date Western Washington University has achieved 900 Watts from a single burner with an efficiency of 7%. With the new design which is under construction at this time it is expected that a kilowatt will be produced from a single burner.
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