Even though TPV energy converters may have weight, size, and cost advantages over other direct energy conversion techniques, TPV shares a low conversion efficiency with its direct energy conversion counterparts. Consequently, the virtues of TPV may be confined to low power applications where fuel costs are not significant. A number of commercial organizations are developing portable power systems embracing the full breath of TPV options. Fuels, which govern many system characteristics, range from methane to diesel fuel. Photoconverters are narrow band GaSb or InGaAs to wide band Si. Emitters are either broadband black body types, selective, or matched. Filters, particularly resonant filters, play a role in spectrum control. Optical and thermal recuperation are important. Fuel delivery, combustion control, ignition means, and thermal management impact overall performance. The design details of a recently developed TPV system will be covered.
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