Low‐ripple high‐efficiency AC‐DC rectifier with auxiliary compensator for hydrogen production

Abstract

In hydrogen production, AC‐DC rectifiers must provide a high current and low voltage to the production load. This paper focuses on the efficient performance and elimination of the output ripple in these AC‐DC rectifiers. Unfortunately, efforts to reduce the current ripple often lead to lower efficiency, causing a contradiction. To address this issue, a low‐ripple high‐efficiency AC‐DC rectifier with an auxiliary compensator is proposed in this paper. The proposed rectifier can maximise efficiency while eliminating the current ripple, including the switching ripple and low‐frequency ripple. By incorporating a rectifier‐chopper and a buck circuit with a series‐connected capacitor, the auxiliary compensator, the solution provides an additional flow path for the current ripple at the rectifier output, successfully preventing the ripple from being output to the load. This paper offers a thorough exposition regarding the causative factors and sources of the switching and low‐frequency ripple. Furthermore, a detailed explication of the operating principle of the proposed rectifier system is provided. The losses and costs associated with auxiliary compensators are then analysed for persuasive purposes. Finally, simulation and experimental results verify the feasibility and superiority of the proposed rectifier.