Hydrocarbon fired thermophotovoltaic electric generator insert having low bandgap cells for use as a replacement burner in an appliance retrofit

The present invention relates to thermophotovoltaic (TPV) power generators for converting fuel to electricity using a minimum number of moving parts. A hydrocarbon thermophotovoltaic (TPV)electric generator insert has applications as a replacement burner to retrofit existing appliances. The retrofitted appliance is thus upgraded to either a cogeneration or self-powered unit. The design of the TPV burner insert is independent of the appliance to be retrofitted except for external adapters and can be easily retrofitted to any appliance design requiring a hydrocarbon burner. The burner uses fully premixed air and fuel near stoichiometry to attain a short duration, high intensity burn through optically dense porous ceramic emitters. The emitters attain temperatures between 1300° and 1500° C. The infrared radiation is collected by low bandgap photovoltaic cells with optical response at least out to a wavelength of 1.7 micrometers such as GaSb cells to produce DC power. The circuit cooling system uses fans or circulating water for cooling.