On the efficiency and reliability of high-current rectifiers

This paper presents a solution to energy qualityproblems in an open pit mine distribution system. Specifically, mine shovel operation is frequently disrupted by energy quality issues. A number of alternative approaches to deal with this problem include: the use of reactive power compensator technologies (i.e. passive filters; electronically switched capacitor banks and static VAR compensators), imposing limits to mining cable lengths, increasing cross sections of the surface cables and increasing the power of mobile substations. However, for this industrial site those alternatives fail to obtain the desired power quality and are not compatible with a potential expansion of the mine pit. This paper presents a solution based on IEEE recommended practices by adding a new feeder with higher rated voltage to the mine loop. The result is better shovel availability, a reduction in arc flash risk and a 9.55% improvement in energy efficiency. There is also a carbon footprint reduction of 10.7 kTon of CO 2 per year.

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“…: power losses in trailing cables; : power losses in overhead power lines; : power losses in mobile substations [5] [6].…”

Section: Energy Efficiencymentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy quality and efficiency of an open pit mine distribution system: An improvement

Wiechmann

Aqueveque

Muñoz

et al. 2014

2014 IEEE Industry Application Society Annual Meeting

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“…Consequently, the mine loop demand has increased in the last 10 years from 9. 5 [MVA] to 20[MVA] (see Table 1). These new electric and geographic conditions were not present at the time of the original project.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy quality and efficiency of an open pit mine distribution system: An evaluation

Aqueveque

Wiechmann

Henríquez

et al. 2014

2014 IEEE Industry Application Society Annual Meeting

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This paper presents an energy quality evaluation of an open pit mine distribution system. A number of operational disruptions affecting mine shovels have been related to energy quality. Previous investigations have highlighted the large presence of harmonics as the main factor responsible for these problems. The aim of this paper is to produce an energy quality baseline and a precise diagnosis of the source and nature of the energy quality issues based on standards and the susceptibility of different technologies used by the shovels at the site. The random nature of the load composed by multiple shovels and drills requires computer simulation to predict worst-case scenarios. For this purpose a voltage regulation and harmonic distortion study was conducted with the model parameters tuned by measurements taken in mobile substations of the mine energy loop. A major aim of this study is to establish the relationship between energy quality and energy efficiency.

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“…An extensive evaluation of the operation, configuration and electric properties of thyristor and PWM rectifiers is presented in [6], concluding that in the future PWM rectifiers will become a very attractive alternative to replace thyristor rectifiers. PWM rectifiers eliminate the need for reactive power and low-frequency current harmonic compensation by pushing harmonic current compensation to higher frequencies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Current harmonics compensation for electrolytic processes using a series active scheme

Acuna

Morán

Dixon

2012

IET Power Electron.

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A series active filter to compensate current harmonics injected by high-power rectifiers [such as in copper electrowinning (EW) and electro-refining (ER) processes] is presented and analysed. The proposed current harmonic compensation method is accomplished by injecting a corresponding series voltage distortion at the rectifier ac terminals. The distorted ac voltage generated at the high-power rectifier ac terminal forces the line current to be sinusoidal and increases dc voltage distortion, but it does not affect the EW or ER processes. A complete design procedure for the series active system is presented. In conjunction with simulated results obtained from a 10 MVA copper EW facility, a 2 kVA laboratory prototype is used to validate the current harmonic compensator scheme. The results obtained through simulation and from the experimental prototype confirm the viability of the proposed compensator and associated control strategy.

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On the efficiency and reliability of high-current rectifiers

Cited by 17 publications

References 6 publications

Energy quality and efficiency of an open pit mine distribution system: An improvement

Energy quality and efficiency of an open pit mine distribution system: An improvement

Energy quality and efficiency of an open pit mine distribution system: An evaluation

Current harmonics compensation for electrolytic processes using a series active scheme

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