Parametric selection criteria of thermal electron-tunneling amplifiers operating at optimum states. (1st July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peng, Wanli; Liao, Tianjun; Zhang, Yanchao; Su, Guozhen; Lin, Guoxing; Chen, Jincan
• Is Part Of: Energy conversion and management. Volume 143(2017)
• Page Start: 391
• Page End: 398
• Publication Date: 2017-07-01
• Subjects: Thermal amplifier -- Energy filter -- Performance evaluation -- Optimum state -- Parametric selection criterion; Direct energy conversion -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Periodicals; Energy transfer -- Periodicals; Énergie -- Conversion directe -- Périodiques; Direct energy conversion; Periodicals; 621.3105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2017.04.029
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0196-8904

Abstract

Highlights: A new model of the thermal amplifier connected by two energy filters is proposed. The amplifier has two connective methods and an equivalently coupling system. The maximum coefficient of performance and rate of heat-pumping are calculated. The optimal selection criteria of key parameters are provided. The effects of two configurative filters on the systemic performance are discussed. Abstract: A new model of the thermal amplifier consisting of three electronic reservoirs connected by two energy filters and an electronic conductor with negligible resistance is proposed. The thermal amplifier may have two different connective methods and can be regarded as the equivalent system composed of an energy selective electron (ESE) heat engine and an ESE heat pump. With the help of the theory of the ESE devices operating between two electronic reservoirs, the coefficient of performance and rate of heat-pumping of the thermal amplifier are directly derived. The effects of the center energy levels and the half width (or the half width at the half maximum) of two energy filters on the performance of the thermal amplifier are discussed. The maximum coefficient of performance and rate of heat-pumping are calculated. The optimally operating regions of the thermal amplifier are determined. Moreover, the optimum performance characteristics of the thermal amplifier with two configurations of energy filters are compared.