A review on advances in alkali metal thermal to electric converters (AMTECs)

• Published in: International journal of energy research Vol. 33; no. 10; pp. 868 - 892
• Main Authors: Wu, Shuang-Ying, Xiao, Lan, Cao, Yi-Ding
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.08.2009; Wiley
• Subjects: alkali metal thermal to electric converter (AMTEC); Alkali metals; analytical model; Applied sciences; conversion efficiency; Converters; direct thermal to electric conversion; Electric converters; Electric power generation; electrode; Electrode materials; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; power and performance degradation; Receiving; Research and development; Thermoelectricity; working fluids; β″-alumina solid electrolyte (BASE); working fluids; State of the art; β-alumina solid electrolyte (BASE); Power production; Review; Electrode material; analytical model; Modeling; Research and development; direct thermal to electric conversion; power and performance degradation; Degradation; alkali metal thermal to electric converter (AMTEC); electrode; Simulation; Energy conversion; Performance; conversion efficiency; Alumina; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0363-907X; 1099-114X
• DOI: 10.1002/er.1584

The alkali metal thermal to electric converter (AMTEC) is one of the most promising technologies for direct conversion of thermal energy to electricity and has been receiving attention in the field of energy conversion and utilization in the past several decades. This paper aims to present a comprehensive review of the state of the art in the research and development of the AMTEC, including its working principles and types, historical development and applications, analytical models, working fluids, electrode materials, as well as the performance and efficiency improvement. The current two major problems encountered by the AMTEC, the time‐dependent power degradation and relatively low efficiency compared to its theoretical value, are discussed in depth. In addition, a brief comparison of the AMTEC with other direct thermal to electric converters (DTECs), such as the thermoelectrics converter (TEC), thermionics converter, and thermophotovoltaics converter, is given, and combinations of different DTECs to further improve DTECs' power generation and overall conversion efficiency are demonstrated. Future research and development directions and the issues that need to be further investigated are also suggested. It is believed that this comprehensive review will be beneficial to the design, simulation, analysis, performance assessment, and applications of various types of AMTECs. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.