Performance evaluation and efficiency enhancement of a space thermionic fuel element for thermal energy conversion and utilization

Optimal performance of solar-driven thermo-electric-radiative coupled devices

“…真空热电子器件是利用金属表面热电子发射实现 热能到电能的转换, 它核心部件是阴极和阳极两个极 板, 阴极板经高温热源加热使温度升高, 一部分获得 能量的电子克服功函数束缚而发射至真空, 然后被阳 极板收集, 再通过负载回到阴极, 完成一个循环过 程 [1,2] . 热电子器件可以被核能 [2,3] 、燃料电池 [4] 、太阳 能…”

Parametric optimization of a coupled system integrating solid oxide fuel cell and graphene thermionic energy converter

“…However, the high-grade waste heat emission from the SOFCs needs to be effectively utilized to enhance the overall energy efficiency [5]. One of the solutions is that we can establish energy cascade utilization systems by coupling SOFC with solid-state energy converters such as thermoelectric devices [6][7][8], far-field thermophotovoltaic cells (FFTCs) [7], near-field thermophotovoltaic cells (NFTCs) [10], thermionic energy converters (TECs) [11][12][13], etc. Due to small size, large power density, and high energy conversion efficiency, the TECs are applied to military, aerospace and other fields and can be driven by the thermal energy, solar energy, and nuclear energy by means of thermionic emission [14,15].…”

“…Due to small size, large power density, and high energy conversion efficiency, the TECs are applied to military, aerospace and other fields and can be driven by the thermal energy, solar energy, and nuclear energy by means of thermionic emission [14,15]. The previous works demonstrated that the TECs can efficiently recycle waste heat from the SOFC [11][12][13], direct carbon FC [16], and molten carbonate FC [17]. Therefore, the development of high-efficiency thermal-to-electricity conversion devices is of great significance to the recovery of waste heat from high-temperature FCs.…”

“…In the previous works related SOFC coupled systems [11][12][13], the relationship between the subsystems' matching area ratio and the electrical parameters is constrained by the energy balance equation. The subsystems' parameters are optimized to obtain the maximum power density.…”

“…is the internal resistance caused by three overpotentials [13]. Leak r describes the leakage resistance in parallel with the load circuit [13]. F S is the surface area of the contact electrode.…”