The thermionic-thermoelectric solid-state technology, characterized by solar-to-electric conversion efficiency feasibly > 40%, is comprehensively proposed and discussed for conversion of concentrating solar power. For the first time, the related solar generator prototype is designed and fabricated by developing advanced materials functionalized for the specific application, such as thermally resistant hafnium carbide-based radiation absorbers, surface-textured at the nanoscale to obtain a solar absorptance > 90%, and chemical vapor deposition diamond films, acting as low- work-function (2.06 eV) thermionic emitters. Commercial thermoelectric generators and encapsulation vacuum components complete the prototype. The conversion efficiency is here evaluated under outdoor concentrated sunlight, demonstrating thermionic stage output power of 130 mW at 756 °C, combined to the maximum thermoelectric output power of 290 mW. The related solar-to-electric conversion efficiency is found to be 0.4%, but, once the net thermal flux fed to the conversion stages is considered, a thermal-to-electric efficiency of 6% is revealed. Factors affecting the performance of the present prototype are analyzed and discussed, as well as a strategy to rapidly overcome limitations, in order to prepare an efficient and highly competitive solid-state conversion alternative for future concentrating solar plants

Maria Trucchi, D., Bellucci, A., Girolami, M., Calvani, P., Cappelli, E., Orlando, S., et al. (2018). Solar Thermionic-Thermoelectric Generator (ST²G): Concept, Materials Engineering, and Prototype Demonstration. ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS, 8(32), 1802310 [10.1002/aenm.201802310].

Solar Thermionic-Thermoelectric Generator (ST²G): Concept, Materials Engineering, and Prototype Demonstration

Riccardo Polini;
2018-11-15

Abstract

The thermionic-thermoelectric solid-state technology, characterized by solar-to-electric conversion efficiency feasibly > 40%, is comprehensively proposed and discussed for conversion of concentrating solar power. For the first time, the related solar generator prototype is designed and fabricated by developing advanced materials functionalized for the specific application, such as thermally resistant hafnium carbide-based radiation absorbers, surface-textured at the nanoscale to obtain a solar absorptance > 90%, and chemical vapor deposition diamond films, acting as low- work-function (2.06 eV) thermionic emitters. Commercial thermoelectric generators and encapsulation vacuum components complete the prototype. The conversion efficiency is here evaluated under outdoor concentrated sunlight, demonstrating thermionic stage output power of 130 mW at 756 °C, combined to the maximum thermoelectric output power of 290 mW. The related solar-to-electric conversion efficiency is found to be 0.4%, but, once the net thermal flux fed to the conversion stages is considered, a thermal-to-electric efficiency of 6% is revealed. Factors affecting the performance of the present prototype are analyzed and discussed, as well as a strategy to rapidly overcome limitations, in order to prepare an efficient and highly competitive solid-state conversion alternative for future concentrating solar plants
15-nov-2018
Pubblicato
Rilevanza internazionale
Articolo
Esperti anonimi
Settore CHIM/03 - CHIMICA GENERALE E INORGANICA
Settore CHIM/07 - FONDAMENTI CHIMICI DELLE TECNOLOGIE
Settore ING-IND/22 - SCIENZA E TECNOLOGIA DEI MATERIALI
English
Con Impact Factor ISI
concentrated solar energy; nanodiamond films; surface nanotexturing by ultrashort laser pulses; thermionic-thermoelectric generators; ultrarefractory selective absorbers
This work was supported by the European Commission FP7-Energy Project E²PHEST²US (Enhanced Energy Production of Heat and Electricity by a Combined Solar Thermionic-Thermoelectric Unit System), Grant Agreement No. 241270, and by the FP7 FET-Energy Project ProME3ThE²US² (Production Method of Electrical Energy by Enhanced Thermal Electron Emission by the Use of Superior Semiconductors), Grant Agreement No. 308975.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/aenm.201802310
Maria Trucchi, D., Bellucci, A., Girolami, M., Calvani, P., Cappelli, E., Orlando, S., et al. (2018). Solar Thermionic-Thermoelectric Generator (ST²G): Concept, Materials Engineering, and Prototype Demonstration. ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS, 8(32), 1802310 [10.1002/aenm.201802310].
Maria Trucchi, D; Bellucci, A; Girolami, M; Calvani, P; Cappelli, E; Orlando, S; Polini, R; Silvestroni, L; Sciti, D; Kribus, A
Articolo su rivista
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Adv_Energy_Mater_2018_8_1802310.pdf

solo utenti autorizzati

Descrizione: articolo principale
Licenza: Copyright dell'editore
Dimensione 7 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
7 MB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2108/205429
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 77
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 69
social impact