Development of electrical energy production technologies with thermofotovoltaic methods by using existing waste heat potential in thermal systems

Increasing energy consumption today the rapid depletion of renewable energy sources and request to obtain maximum efficiency with minimum input have been speed up the search for new technologys. Assessment of waste heat saves energy. Electricity produced from waste heat, as clean and renewable energy contributes to the current electricity production. This method should be regarded as an environmentally friendly production model by reducing the greenhouse effect at the same time while providing an alternative in terms of cost, efficiency and energy saving. In this study, it is aimed to develop electricity production technology by thermophotovoltaic energy conversion by exploiting existing waste heat potential. In the literature, the use of thermophotovoltaic energy conversion in industrial systems and central heating systems have been researched and a theoretical model in industrial systems has been developed. In this model, waste heat in industrial systems was investigated by radiation, which is one of the heat transfer methods in the system. The waste heat produced after the production phase is recovered by supplying electricity to the system with thermophotovoltaic conversion. In this study, the analysis of the thermophotovoltaic system was made in industrial and central heating systems. The layer thicknesses of the GaSb cell structure were optimized and the final sample design has been calculated using the Matlab program. In the analysis made, TPV temperature graphs has been obtained using GdaSb cell. The temperature parameters used are cell temperature and welding temperature. With these graphs, energy efficiency, fill factor, effect of open circuit voltage and short circuit current values are determined. Thermodynamic analysis of thermophotovoltaic system is also presented. Firstly, the thermophotovoltaic system was analyzed in three different regions. In the analysis, each part of the system is taken separately, while the whole system is handled separately. The system was evaluated first analyzing by the first law and then the second analyzed by second law. The first region is the thermodynamic analysis of the heat source of energy that occurs with radiation until it reaches the filter. The second region is where the filter, selective-emitter and photovoltaic cells, considered as photovoltaic systems, take place. The third region, which is expressed as the last region, is considered to be the part where electric energy is stored. Within the thermodynamic analysis of each region, energy and exergy analysis were carried out and the system was analyzed from part to part. The results are supported by formulas and graphs. It is aimed that the work done will be an alternative to the existing electricity generation and will form a resource for future works.