2021 2nd International Conference on Robotics,Electrical and Signal Processing Techniques (ICREST)

A Novel 24-Pulse Star Rectifier Using Simple

Passive Injection Method at DC Link
2021 2nd International Conference on Robotics, Electrical and Signal Processing Techniques (ICREST) | 978-0-7381-3042-2/20/$31.00 ©2021 IEEE | DOI: 10.1109/ICREST51555.2021.9331145

Md. Abdul Malek and Muhammad Abdul Goffar Khan

Dept. o f Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology
Rajshahi, Bangladesh
[email protected]

Abstract—This paper presents a novel 24-pulse winding configuration of transformer. In [8], passive pulse
uncontrolled star rectifier for low voltage and high current doubling method has been proposed for 12-pulse rectifier
industrial applications. The proposed 24-pulse star rectifier which converts 12-pulse rectifier to 24-pulse rectifier. This
consists of 12-pulse star rectifier and passive injection circuit. rectifier meets the restrictions of the IEEE-519 standard. But
Specially tapped interphase transformer (STIPT) with two it includes one extra diode in the load current flow path
diodes constitutes the passive injection circuit. Passive injection which doubles the conduction loss and making this system
circuit provides circulating harmonic current through the load non applicable for high current applications. In [9], authors
which modify the output voltage and input line currents of 12-
proposed passive pulse doubling methods for rectifiers. This
pulse star rectifier. Proposed model operates as a 24-pulse
method also convert 12-pulse rectifier to 24-pulse rectifier
rectifier as tap ratio of the STIPT is chosen optimally. At
optimal tap ratio, total harmonic distortion (THD) of the input
with small conduction loss in the pulse doubling circuits.
line current is about 7.32% and that of input line current with
However, extra secondary winding is required in the
source impedance and leakage reactance is about 4.67%. Basic interphase transformer of the pulse doubling circuits.
performance of the proposed 24-pulse star rectifier is validated This article develops a new passive injection method for
by proper theoretical analysis and simulation results of 12-pulse rectifiers. With the proposed passive injection
MATLAB/Simulink. methods, harmonics mitigation ability of the rectifier is
improved to a great extent and proposed rectifier operates as
Keywords—Double star rectifier-1, double star rectifier-2,
total harmonic distortion (THD), specially tapped interphase
24-pulse rectifier. The input line current THD fulfills the
transformer (STIPT), passive injection circuit. requirements of IEEE-519 standard. The proposed 24-pulse
star rectifier is useful for large current applications such as
I. In t r o d u c t io n traction substations, medium voltage ac drives, low voltage
ac drive, induction heating, graphitizing furnaces, plasma
A very significant aspect in the selection of low voltage
torches, aluminum potline, zinc electrolysis etc.
and high large current rectifier is the conduction losses in
semiconductor devices [1]. 12-pulse star rectifier is vastly II. Sy s t em Co n f i g u r a t io n
used in case of low voltage-high current industrial
applications because of conduction loss of star rectifier is Fig. 1 (a) depicts the proposed 24-pulse star rectifier.
lower than bridge rectifier. However, 12-pulse star rectifier Proposed rectifier combines the conventional 12-pulse star
injects harmonics in the grid owing to the non-linearity rectifier and passive injection circuit. Four star rectifiers
nature of semiconductor diode. It do not comply the constitute the double star rectifier-1 and double star rectifier-
restriction set by IEEE-519 standard [2]. Harmonics cause 2. Conventional 12-pulse star rectifier is formed by
lower power quality of the grid that results in malfunctioning combining the double star rectifier-1 and double star
of power converters and other sensitive equipment. rectifier-2 in parallel connection. Diodes D x , D y and STIPT
comprise the passive injection circuit. Parallel connection is
Increment in output pulse number of the rectifier is an made between the passive injection circuit and load. Passive
effective way to reduce the harmonic of input side. injection circuit modulates output current of double star
Therefore, 18-pulse and 24-pulse star rectifiers are rectifiers by injecting rectangular harmonic circulating
introduced for high current applications [3], [4]. These current to the load. This modulation upgrades the 12-pulse
rectifiers reduce the injection of harmonic at the grid side rectifier to 24-pulse rectifier. Interphase transformer (IPT) is
with reducing the ripple of output voltage. As the pulse used in the proposed rectifier in order to ensure the parallel
number of the rectifier increases, winding configuration of operation of the rectifier.
the phase shifting transformers become complex and reduces
winding utilization ratio. Hence active, hybrid and passive Fig. 1(b) depicts the winding configuration of the STIPT.
filter have been proposed for 12-pulse rectifiers to STIPT has five terminals named as A, B, O, E and F where
diminishing the input line current THD [5], [6]. But active O is the center point. AB and EF have same turn number and
filter requires complex control circuit and do not realizable in denoted as W, and N 1 is the turn number of winding BE. Tap
high power application whereas passive filter eliminates only ratio m of STIPT is defined as
certain harmonic and suffers from unwanted resonance. N 2
Another way to diminish the harmonics of the input line m = — 2 (1)
N 1
current is installing passive pulse multiplier circuits at DC
link [7]-[9]. Passive pulse multiplier circuits increase the
output pulse number of the rectifier without any complex

978-0-7381-3042-2/21/S31.00 ©2021 IEEE Page 197

Authorized licensed use limited to: Central Michigan University. Downloaded on May 14,2021 at 11:38:27 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
 2021 2nd International Conference on Robotics,Electrical and Signal Processing Techniques (ICREST)

III. O p e r a t in g Mo d e v + v 2
vL = (7)
Assume voltage across AB winding, BE winding, EF 2
winding are vt, v„ and vt respectively; output voltage of
double star rectifier-1 and double star rectifier-2 are vi and V2 X-mode: Proposed rectifier operates in X-mode when
respectively; output current of double star rectifier-1 and v„ < vt. Diode Dx of the passive injection circuit is forward
double star rectifier-2 are idi and id2 respectively; current biased and diode D y is reverse biased. Passive injection
through the diodes D x and D y are ix and iy respectively; load circuit injects rectangular harmonic current to the load and
current is _l . According to relationship between v„ and vt , modulates output currents of the double star rectifiers.
proposed rectifier has three operating mode. The operating Double star rectifier-1 operatess and supplies current to load.
modes are described below. Double star rectifier-2 is reverse biased due to the output
voltage v2 of double star rectifier-2 is less than voltage vt.
Z-mode: Proposed rectifier operates in Z-mode when This operating mode is depicted in Fig. 2(b). Relationship of
v„ > vt. Both diodes Dx and D y of the passive injection the currents ix, iy, idi, i d s , and iL are expressed as,
circuit are reverse biased and passive injection circuit do not
inject any current to the load. Double star rectifier-1 and P d2 =0 (8)
double star rectifier-2 supply current to load through STIPT.
This operating mode is depicted in Fig. 2(a). The relationship V y=0
of the currents ix, iy, idi, id s , and iL are expressed as
iL = id1 + i x (9 )

\ix = 0 (2) MMF relation of the STIPT is expressed as

\ iy = 0 0.5N 1id 1 = ( N + 0.5N j ) ix (10)
sT"
II

(3)
+

The current idi and ix are determined as

MMF relation of the STIPT is expressed as . 2m +1 .
(4) idd11 = 2m + 2 iT
L
0.5^ 1id 1 = 0 .5N 1id2 .
(11)
1
The current i di and i d2 are determined as iL
2m +2

iL Current of each star rectifier is

i d1
2
(5)
i = _l _ i =i = d1

d2 2 2 (12)
\}s3 = i s4 = 0
Current of each star rectifier is
The relationship of the voltages v„, vi, v2, vt, and vl are
i = i = -ld1 = -lL- expressed as
s1 s2 2 4
(6) vL = v1 - ° .5 v „
ii =
= ii = = l_L_
= iJ L = (13)
2 4 v„ = v1 - v 2

Load voltage is expressed as

Vv l = (m + 0 .5 )' „

Page 198

Authorized licensed use limited to: Central Michigan University. Downloaded on May 14,2021 at 11:38:27 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
 2021 2nd International Conference on Robotics,Electrical and Signal Processing Techniques (ICREST)

The voltage vl , v2 and Vn are determined as The voltage vl , vi and vn are determined as
2m +1
2m +1 vL = v2
VL = v i 2m + 2
2m + 2
2m
2m v, = - v 2
(21)
• V2 = v i (14) 2m + 2
2m + 2
2 2
vn vn = — v 2
---------v 2m + 2
2m + 2

Y-mode: Proposed rectifier operates in Y-mode when IV. Si m u l a t io n Re s u l t

-vn < -vt. Diode D y of the passive injection circuit is forward Simulation of the proposed rectifier is performed using
biased and diode Dx is reverse biased. Passive injection MATLAB/Simulink in order to verify the theoretical
circuit injects rectangular harmonic current to the load and analysis. Parameters for the simulation listed as follow: input
modulates output currents of the double star rectifiers. line to line voltage is 400 V, nominal load is 50 KW, and
Double star rectifier-2 conducts and supplies current the frequency of power supply is 50 Hz. Using simulation
load. Double star rectifier-1 is reverse biased due to output results, relationship between THD and tap ratio k is shown in
voltage v 1 of double star rectifier-1 is less than the voltage vt. Fig. 3. From Fig. 3, it is revealed that THD of the input line
This operating mode is depicted in Fig. 2(c). Relationship of current is minimum when m=13.67. Hence optimum value of
the currents ix, iy, idi, id2 , and iL are expressed as tap ratio is 13.67 and under optimum tap ratio, input line
current THD is 7.32%. Remaining simulation results of
fid1 = 0 (15) proposed 24-pulse star rectifier are shown for optimum tap
|ix = 0 ratio.

iL = i d 2 + iy (16) A. Results fo r Conventional 12-Pulse Star Rectifier

MMF relation of the STIPT is expressed as Output voltage of conventional 12-pulse star rectifier
holds 12-pulse in one cycle of the input voltage which is
0.5N1id2 = (N 2 + 0.5N ) iy (17) given in Fig. 4. Fig. 5 illustrates the input line current of the
12-pulse star rectifier. Input line current has 12 step in one
The current id2 and iy are determined as cycle of input voltage. Harmonic spectrum of input line
current of conventional 12-pulse star rectifier is depicted in
_ 2m +1 . Fig. 6, showing THD as 15.09%. Input line current contains
ld2 = lL
2m + 2 11th, 13th and higher order harmonics.
(18)
1
iL
B. Results fo r Proposed 24-Pulse Star Rectifier
y 2m + 2
Injecting harmonic current ix and iy of the proposed 24-
Current of each star rectifier is pulse star rectifier are shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8
respectively. Injecting harmonic currents modulate the output
s = i s2 = 0 current of double star rectifier-1 and double star rectifier-2
id 2 which increases number of output pulse of the proposed
i s3 = is4 = (19) rectifier. Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 illustrate the output current of
2
double star rectifier-1 and double star rectifier-2 respectively.
The relationship of the voltages vn, v 1, v2, vt, and vl are Output voltage of proposed 24-pulse rectifier contains 24-
expressed as pulse with equal width of each pulse which is shown in Fig.
11. Proposed 24-pulse star rectifier reduces ripple of the
vL = v 2 + °.5vn output voltage compare with conventional 12-pulse star
• vn = v1 - v2 (20) rectifier. Fig. 12 illustrates the input line current of the
proposed 24-pulse star rectifier. Harmonic spectrum of input
vL = -{ m + 0.5) v n
line current of proposed rectifier is shown in Fig. 13,
showing THD as 7.32%. Proposed rectifier mitigates lower
than 23rd harmonic from input currents.

Page 199

Authorized licensed use limited to: Central Michigan University. Downloaded on May 14,2021 at 11:38:27 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
 2021 2nd International Conference on Robotics,Electrical and Signal Processing Techniques (ICREST)

C. Performance Evaluation fo r Source Impedance

Performances of the conventional 12-pulse star rectifier
and proposed 24-pulse star rectifier are also evaluated for
source impedance and leakage reactance. Simulated results
are shown in Fig. 14 to Fig. 18 for 3% source impedance and
0.1% leakage reactance [10]. Input line current of
conventional 12-pulse star rectifier and its harmonic
spectrum is depicted in Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 respectively.
THD of the input line current of conventional 12-pulse star
rectifier with source impedance and leakage reactance is
about 11.56%. Source impedance and leakage reactance act
as filter for rectifier circuits and reduces the magnitude of the
harmonics. Output voltage and input line current of the
proposed 24-pulse star rectifier is shown in Fig. 16 and Fig.
17 respectively. Harmonic spectrum of input line current of
proposed 24-pulse star rectifier is shown in Fig. 18, showing
THD as 4.67%. Proposed 24-pulse star rectifier meets the
5% THD restriction of the IEEE-519 standard.

Fig. 3. Relationship between THD and tap ratio.

475

5 s 470
£
465

0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02

Tim e (seconds)
Fig. 4. Output voltage waveform of conventional 12-pulse star rectifier.

0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02

Time (seconds)
Fig. 11. Output voltage waveform of proposed rectifier.

3 100
THD= 15.09%

50
11th harmonic 13th harmonic
\ '

10 50
0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
Time (seconds)
Fig. 6. Harmonic spectrum of input line current of 12-pulse star rectifer. Fig. 12. Input line current waveform of proposed rectifier.

Page 200

Authorized licensed use limited to: Central Michigan University. Downloaded on May 14,2021 at 11:38:27 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
 2021 2nd International Conference on Robotics,Electrical and Signal Processing Techniques (ICREST)

V. Co n c l u s io n
THD= 7.32%
In this paper new passive injection circuit is presented for
conventional 12-pulse star rectifier which is preferable for
high current and low voltage application. Passive injection
circuit increases step of output current of double star
rectifiers which upgrades 12-pulse rectifier to 24-pulse
rectifier. Proposed passive injection circuit simultaneously
reduces ripple of the output voltage and THD of the input
Fig. 13. Harmonic spectrum of proosed rectifer. line current. Input line current THD without source
impedance and leakage reactance is about 7.34% and THD
with source impedance and leakage reactance is about
4.67%. Operations of the proposed rectifier are analyzed in
details with proper mathematical equation. Basic concept of
proposed rectifier is verified by simulation results. Since
only diode is required in the passive injection circuit,
proposed rectifier is completely passive. Proposed passive
injection circuits can be utilized in other 12-pulse rectifiers
without changing any parameter. Experimental performances
will be examined in the next research.

Re f e r en c es

[1] B. Singh and S. Gairola, “An 18-Pulse Full-Wave AC-DC Converter

for Power Quality Improvement,” J. Power Electron., vol. 8, no. 2, pp.
109-120, April 2008.
[2] IEEE Recommended Practices and Requirements for Harmonic
Control in Electrical Power Systems, IEEE Std. 519-1992, 1992.
[3] B. Singh and S. Gairola, “Zigzag autotransformer based full-wave ac-
dc converters,” Asian Power Electron. J., vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 23-30,
April 2008.
[4] M. A. Malek and M. A. G. Khan, “A new 36-pulse star rectifier for
power quality improvement,” in proc. o f 5th International Conference
on Advances in Electrical Engineering (ICAEE), Dhaka, Bangladesh,
2019.
[5] H. Akagi and K. Isozaki, “A hybrid active filter for a three-phase 12-
pulse diode rectifier used as the front end o f a medium-voltage motor
drive,” IEEE Trans. Power Electron., vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 69-77,
January 2012.
[6] B. Badrzadeh, K. S. Smith, and R. C. Wilson, “Designing passive
harmonic filters for an aluminum smelting plant,” IEEE Trans. Ind.
Appl., vol. 47, no. 2, pp. 973-983, March/April 2011.
[7] J. Wang, X Yao, Q. Guan, and S. Yang, “A novel 12-pulse full-wave
rectifier with simple circuit configuration,” Int. J. Circ. Theor. Appl,
pp. 1-20, 2020.
[8] S. Choi, B. S. Lee, and P. N. Enjeti, “New 24-pulse diode rectifier
systems for utility interface o f high power AC motor drives,” IEEE
Trans. Ind. Appl., vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 531-541, March/April 1997.
[9] S. Yang, J. Wang, and W. Yang, “A novel 24-pulse diode rectifier
with an auxiliary single-phase full-wave rectifier at DC side,” IEEE
Trans. Power Electron., vol. 32, no. 3, pp. 1885-1893, March 2017.
[10] S. Prakash, R. Kalpana, B. Singh, and G. Bhuvaneswari, “A 20-pulse
asymmetric multiphase staggering autoconfigured transformer for
power quality improvement,” IEEE Trans. Power Electron., vol. 33,
no. 2, pp. 917-925, February 2018.

Page 201

Authorized licensed use limited to: Central Michigan University. Downloaded on May 14,2021 at 11:38:27 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.