A review on advances in alkali metal thermal to electric converters (AMTECs)

Wu, Shuang–Ying; Xiao, Lan; Cao, Yiding

doi:10.1002/er.1584

Cited by 61 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 95 publications

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“…The theoretical efficiency of AMTEC is close to Carnot limit; however, due to technical limitations at present efficiencies of approximately 30% have been obtained [5,6]. Due to the high temperature level, the excess energy can be used for the conventional power conversion systems (PCS) or stored in a high temperature storage device.…”

Section: Fig 2 Schematics Of the Functional Principle Of An A M T Ementioning

confidence: 92%

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Application of liquid metals for solar energy systems

Hering

Stieglitz

Wetzel

2012

EPJ Web of Conferences

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Abstract. Liquid metals have excellent properties to be used as heat transport fluids due to the high thermal conductivity and their wide applicable temperature range. The latter opens the gate utilizing more efficient power conversion options beyond the limitations of current thermal solar energy systems. By utilizing them as thermal storage medium, an improved coupling of state-of-the art power conversion systems (PCS) to solar plants seems promising. To avoid adverse effects of highly reactive fluid a compact design is envisaged, which fits best to concentrating solar power (CSP). In this context a solar storage system is proposed and will be qualified for fast reaction to compensate solar flux fluctuations and to optimize PCS. The paper will provide an outlook based on a concept study for a 100 MWth plant with a comparison to existing thermal solar plants. The vision also includes the capability for base load applications, including a day-wide storage system. Combining both systems, a fast response of the plant to compensate short term fluctuations from other renewable sources or from energy consumption is feasible.

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Section: Fig 2 Schematics Of the Functional Principle Of An A M T Ementioning

confidence: 92%

“…The low temperatures during night increase the temperature difference leading to better conditions in the condenser. Furthermore, the presented 03003-p. 6 2 nd European Energy Conference technology can profit from the research on material sciences as well as nuclear technology and safety [6].…”

Section: Combined Cyclementioning

confidence: 99%

Application of liquid metals for solar energy systems

Hering

Stieglitz

Wetzel

2012

EPJ Web of Conferences

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“…In recent years, AMTEC has attracted much concern due to its unique advantages such as relatively high conversion efficiency (20-30%), simple configuration, no noise and good adaptability to a variety of heat sources including nuclear energy, solar energy, heat of combustion, etc. [1,2]. A perspective view in partial crosssection of AMTEC cell using sodium as working media is given in fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Condensation heat transfer characteristics of the alkali metal thermal to electric converter (AMTEC) porous wick condenser

Xiao

Deng

et al. 2019

THERM SCI

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An axisymmetric 2-D mathematical model was established and the volume of fluid +method was adopted to numerically investigate the condensation heat transfer process of alkali metal in the alkali metal thermal to electric converter (AMTEC) porous wick condenser. The steady-state physical fields of working medium were obtained and the impacts of some relevant parameters including geometrical and operational parameters on condensation heat transfer characteristics were discussed. The results show that the thickness of the liquid sodium increases along the radial direction. The temperature distribution in liquid phase is approximately linear. The condensation rate at the phasechange interface decreases along the radial direction, and the cold end heat flux, q, increases initially and then decreases along the radial direction. The porous wick condenser has very limited self-adaptive ability once the mass flow rate, M , exceeds in some critical value. In addition, there is a corresponding T for a certain M to ensure the w in stable phase-change interface. The performance of AMTEC can be enhanced by reducing the distance between artery and cell wall.

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“…Until now, the dynamic power is the main means of electricity generation. However, the static power such as thermionic converter or generator (TIC or TIG), thermoelectric converter or generator (TEC or TEG), alkali metal thermal to electric converter (AMTEC), and thermophotovoltaic converter has aroused people's concern . Therefore, many concepts of solar‐driven static converters have been reported .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parametric study on the thermoelectric conversion performance of a concentrated solar-driven thermionic-thermoelectric hybrid generator

Xiao

Yang

2017

Int J Energy Res

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Summary A concentrated solar‐driven thermionic‐thermoelectric hybrid generator composed of solar heat collector, thermionic generator (TIG), thermoelectric generator (TEG), and radiator is introduced in this paper. A theoretical model of thermoelectric conversion performance for the hybrid generator is built up based on the heat source of the concentrated solar radiation rather than isothermal heat source. Based on the model, the impacts of related parameters on the internal temperature distributions, output power, and efficiency have been discussed. Moreover, the optimal operating conditions of the TIG‐TEG hybrid device at its maximum output power and efficiency have been determined. Results show that when cascading the TEG with the TIG, there is very little change of the TIG cathode temperature in most conditions, namely, TC ≈ TC′. Meanwhile, the anode temperature becomes higher, and the TEG cold end temperature T2 is close to the anode temperature TA′ for the single TIG system, ie, TA > TA′ ≈ T2. In theory, the optimal concentrated solar radiation I0 for the maximum output power Pmax and the maximum efficiency ηmax differs, which are I0,P = 2.5 × 106 W/m2 and I0,η = 2 × 106 W/m2, respectively, whereas the output power and efficiency of the TIG‐TEG hybrid system simultaneously reach their maximum values when the optimal TIG anode temperature TA,opt = 1025 K, the optimal TIG output voltage Vopt = 2 V, and the optimal ratio of load resistance to internal resistance (R2/R)opt = 2. However, in practice, the parameter values of I0, ΦA, and TA should be strictly controlled under 1.8 × 106 W/m2, 1.4 eV, and 660 K, respectively. Generally, the maximum output power and efficiency of the hybrid TIG‐TEG system are, respectively, 35% and 4% higher than that of the single TIG.

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A review on advances in alkali metal thermal to electric converters (AMTECs)

Cited by 61 publications

References 95 publications

Application of liquid metals for solar energy systems

Application of liquid metals for solar energy systems

Condensation heat transfer characteristics of the alkali metal thermal to electric converter (AMTEC) porous wick condenser

Parametric study on the thermoelectric conversion performance of a concentrated solar-driven thermionic-thermoelectric hybrid generator

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