High-current DC choppers in the metals industry

Scaini, V.; Ma, Tao

doi:10.1109/2943.985678

Cited by 29 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Diode‐ and thyristor‐based rectifiers are most commonly used for high‐power high‐current applications because of their proven reliability, availability of suitable ratings of semi‐conductor switches, robustness, long life and simplicity of the solutions [1–5]. Depending on the power levels and other application‐specific requirements, different types of configurations are used in the industry: Multi‐pulse diode rectifier with tap‐changing transformer and saturable reactor. Multi‐pulse thyristor rectifier with tap‐changing transformer. Multi‐pulse thyristor rectifier with passive filters. Chopper–rectifier (multi‐pulse diode rectifier followed by multi‐phase chopper). Apart from these topologies, GTO or IGBT + diode based current source rectifier, other variants of thyristor rectifiers and modular topologies are also proposed for high‐current applications; however, currently these topologies are not actively used in the industry [1–5, 28–34].…”

Section: Conventional Rectifier Topologies For High‐current Variablmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Instead of thyristor rectifiers, a multi‐pulse diode rectifier followed by a DC–DC chopper is proposed in the literature [1, 2, 4, 5, 28–34]. Some companies are actively producing these units [1].…”

Section: Conventional Rectifier Topologies For High‐current Variablmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…9 a shows the system configuration of a 12‐pulse diode rectifier followed by a three‐phase chopper. The chopper‐based system provides distinct advantages over the thyristor‐based system in terms of transformer size reduction (up to 15–25%), elimination of the online tap changer, constant high power factor (>0.93), low input‐current harmonics (THD < 9%), better control over load current and voltage, lower output‐filter requirement and simpler control [1, 30]. To improve the THD and power factor further, a dominant‐harmonic filter with appropriate reactive power compensation can be added at the input side.…”

Section: Conventional Rectifier Topologies For High‐current Variablmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Segregation of the applications is carried out depending on the electrical characteristics of the load. Then, rectifier topologies used in industry are introduced and their applications, advantages/disadvantages and other salient features are described [21–34]. Power‐quality issues with thyristor rectifiers are highlighted and various compensation techniques proposed in the literature are discussed briefly [6, 35–61].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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High‐current variable‐voltage rectifiers: state of the art topologies

Solanki

Fröhleke

Böcker

et al. 2015

IET Power Electronics

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Applications such as electrolysis, electrowinning, DC arc furnaces and plasma torches require high-current (several kA) power supplies at low-voltage levels (few hundreds of volts). In this study, conventional rectifier topologies (diode-and thyristor-based multi-pulse rectifiers with on-load tap changing transformer and chopper-rectifier) used for high-current, variable-voltage applications are reviewed along with recent advancements in the field. The main applications themselves are also discussed. Issues with conventional topologies are highlighted. Power quality techniques like passive and active filters are discussed for power factor and current harmonics compensation. Advanced medium-to high-frequency transformer-based topologies (with current and voltage source rectifiers) are discussed along with simulation results.

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Section: Conventional Rectifier Topologies For High‐current Variablmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Conventional Rectifier Topologies For High‐current Variablmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Conventional Rectifier Topologies For High‐current Variablmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

High‐current variable‐voltage rectifiers: state of the art topologies

Solanki

Fröhleke

Böcker

et al. 2015

IET Power Electronics

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“…In order to overcome these operational problems, thyristor rectifiers often necessitate auxiliary ignition circuitry and arc stabilizing equipment such as ballast inductors, variable resistors, or on-load tap changers (OLTC). In [10]- [15], chopper solutions employing IGBTs and IGCTs have been proposed for general purpose high current rectifiers including both metal and electro-chemical applications. Owing to their high switching frequency and wide voltage conversion ratio, chopper solutions generally outperform thyristor rectifiers in plasma torch applications.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Medium Voltage Power Supply with Enhanced Ignition Characteristics for Plasma Torches

Jung¹,

Suh²

2011

Journal of Power Electronics

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This paper investigates a power supply of medium voltage with enhanced ignition characteristics for plasma torches. A series resonant half-bridge topology is presented as a suitable ignition circuitry. The ignition circuitry is integrated into the main power conversion system of a multi-phase staggered three-level dc-dc converter with a diode front-end rectifier. A plasma torch rated at 3MW, 2kA and having a physical size of 1m is selected to be the high enthalpy source for a waste disposal system. The steady-state and transient operations of a plasma torch are simulated. The parameters of a Cassie-Mary arc model are calculated based on 3D magneto-hydrodynamic simulations. The circuit simulation waveform shows that the ripple of the arc current can be maintained within ±10% of its rated value under the presence of a load disturbance. This power conversion configuration provides a high enough ignition voltage, around 5KA, during the ignition phase and high arc stability under the existence of arc disturbance noise resulting in a high-performance plasma torch system.

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