A new thermophotovoltaic (TPV) power generation system has been proposed on the basis of reciprocating-flow super-adiabatic combustion in porous media and has been investigated through numerical simulation. The porous media consists of a thin foam-ceramic plate sandwitched by a pair of porous quartz glass plates packed perpendicular to the flow direction in an insulated flowing-duct. By energy recirculation through the reciprocating-flow combustion system, the foam-ceramic temperature becomes about two times higher than the theoretical (adiabatic) flame temperature, using only a small amount of combustion heat. Strong radiant energy is emitted from the foam-ceramic plate. Of those, long wavelength components are absorbed by the porous quartz glass and are regenerated to preheat working-gases. On the other hand, short wavelength components pass through the porous quartz glass. About 48% of the combustion heat is converted into the radiant energy in a short wavelength range which are useful for (GaSb) TPV power generation.
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