Thermodynamic analysis of thermophotovoltaic systems used in waste heat recovery systems: an application

Thermodynamic analysis of the thermophotovoltaic (TPV) system was carried out in our research and the results are presented. First, the TPV 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. Within the thermodynamic analysis of each region, energy and exergy analysis were carried out and the system was analyzed from part to part. As a result of this method, a general energy and exergy efficiency of the whole TPV system is determined. Our results are supported by formulas. The In0.2Ga0.8As0.18Sb0.82 cell has a higher efficiency compared to the GaSb cell at the same source temperature. This is because the reverse saturation current and the energy band gap are low and the short-circuit current is high. If TPV systems are applied for waste heat energy potential in the Turkish iron and steel industry, the energy efficiency of GaSb cell systems is 66 192 MJ per year with energy efficiency of 2.04%, the energy efficiency of In0.2Ga0.8As0.18Sb0.82 cell systems is 7.31% with annual energy efficiency of 189 971 MJ can be recovered. It is aimed that the work done will be an alternative to the existing electricity generation and will form a resource for future works.