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

Abstract

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.

Optimal design of star‐connected autotransformer applied to large current rectifier

“…From (2), the relation between the two position parameters when 0 ≤ k 1 ≤ 1 and k 2 ≤ 0 can be obtained as Fig. 6b shows part of the phasor diagram when k 1 < 0 and k 2 ≤ 0.…”

“…From (2), the relation between the two position parameters when k 1 Fig. 8a shows the winding configuration when 0 ≤ k 1 ≤ 1 and k 2 ≤ 0.…”

“…Large current rectifiers are widely used in industrial engineering, such as wind energy conversion, electrochemical, electrowinning, dc arc furnaces, plasma torches, micro arc oxidation and aerospace converter [1][2][3]. How to improve the power density and energy conversion efficiency of the large current rectifier is always a hot topic.…”

“…In general, there are two common topologies of the large current rectifier [2]. One is the multi-pulse rectifier [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15].…”

Effect of circulating current on input line current of 12‐pulse rectifier with active inter‐phase reactor

“…Installing an active or a passive auxiliary circuit at DC side of 12-pulse rectifier is an effective method of eliminating harmonics in input line current [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. When the two bridge rectifiers are connected in parallel, an inter-phase reactor (IPR) is often used to ensure the independent operation of the two bridge rectifiers [13].…”