Large-Scale Electric Propulsion Systems in Ships Using an Active Front-End Rectifier

Abstract

In the case of the electric propulsion system on the vessel, Diode Front End (DFE) rectifiers have been applied for large-sized ships and Active Front End (AFE) rectifiers have been utilized for small and medium-sized ships as a part of the system. In this paper, we design a large electric propulsion ship system using AFE rectifier with the proposed phase angle detector and verify the feasibility of the system by simulation. The phase angle derived from the proposed phase angle detection method is applied to the control of the AFE rectifier instead of the zero-crossing method used to detect the phase angle in the control of the conventional AFE rectifier. We compare and analyze the speed control, Direct Current (DC)-link voltage, harmonic content and measurement data of heat loss by inverter switch obtained from the simulation of the electric propulsion system with the 24-pulse DFE rectifier, the conventional AFE rectifier, and the proposed AFE rectifier. As a result of the simulation, it was confirmed that the proposed AFE rectifier derives a satisfactory result similar to that of a 24-pulse DFE rectifier with a phase shifting transformer installed according to the speed load of the ship, and it can be designed and applied as a rectifier of a large-sized vessel.

Energy Transition in Maritime Transport: Solutions and Costs

“…Among the many types of alternative fuels and alternative propulsion systems for ships, hybrid propulsion and increasingly pure electric propulsion are frequently mentioned in the literature [19][20][21][22][23]. Both of these types of propulsion systems are inhomogeneous in every respect; while they have in common the fact that they are technological innovations, in ship propulsion and that they are at an early stage of development, they are represented very narrowly in shipping practice.…”

“…Both of these types of propulsion systems are inhomogeneous in every respect; while they have in common the fact that they are technological innovations, in ship propulsion and that they are at an early stage of development, they are represented very narrowly in shipping practice. All existing cases of using pure electric propulsion can be met in linear shipping where a very short distance is the subject of the service, i.e., an estimated for 20-40 Nm [19,21,24]. Hybrid propulsion is the combination of two or more alternative sources of energy used for both the propulsion of the ship and the operation of onboard equipment.…”

Mitigation of harmonic distortions in third rail electrical systems

“…The common rectifier schemes used in the DC third rail system are 6-pulse [17], [18], 12-pulse [5], [16], [19], 18-pulse rectifiers [20] and 24-pulse rectifiers [6], [21]. These rectifiers generate the characteristic harmonics in the order of (ℎ = 𝑛𝑘 ± 1) where n is the number of pulses and k is an integer number.…”

Ship Lifecycle

“…This research confirmed the excellence of fuel-cells being used as ship power systems. In addition, Jeon et al [4]…”

“…This research confirmed the excellence of fuel-cells being used as ship power systems. In addition, Jeon et al [4] introduced an excellent Active-Front-End (AFE) rectifier applicable for a large electric propulsion ship system. Through a series of simulation, they confirmed the technical maturity of the AFE rectifier as well as the feasibility of the system.…”