Multi Pulse Converter

Based HVDC

Submitted by-
Nidhi Sharma
17BEE056
Abstract:
The multiphase multilevel converter topology is a newly
introduced converter topology with the potential for high
voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission applications. The
rectification of AC power to DC power generates undesirable
current harmonics which causes shutdown of device or
unacceptable powering of devices. Thus a system is created
in power electronics applications by using AC to Dc rectifiers
that produce low harmonic current in the AC source.
Multipulse converters are made up from several converter
modules, switching at the fundamental frequency, but
properly phase shifted to produce a nearly sinusoidal output
voltage. In the HVDC system the real power is controlled by
rectifier station whereas the reactive power is controlled by
inverter station. This report will analyze the harmonic
problem in converter systems also the effect of increasing
the number of pulses on performance of ac to dc converters
is analyzed.

1.Introduction:
The most important part of the system is converters. Each
system have atleast two converters one at each end. The
sending end converter works as a rectifier and receiving end
converter as inverter. To achieve higher voltage or current
ratings they are connected in series or parallel. These
converters are generally a combination of thyristors. For
HVDC transmission bridge converters are used. The values
are required to allow current flow with low voltage drop
across it during conduction phase and offer high resistance
during non conduction phase , also to withstand high peak
inverse voltage and for smooth control of conducting and
non conducting phases. There are two versions of switching
converters, first is inductor which is current source converter
(CSC) and second is capacitor which is voltage source
converter (VSC).
In HVDC, CSC are used mostly. It has fast accurate control,
more fault tolerant and more reliable and they are not easily
expanded in series.

2. HVDC System Configuration:

Five basic configuration of HVDC systems are listed below
depending upon the cost and operational requirement:
2.1 Back to back interconnection

It has two converters on same site and there is no

transmission line. Converters at both end are identical
based on control mode can operate as rectifier or
inverter. It is designed for low rating and economical for
long distance transmission.
 2.2 Monopolar link

The monopolar link has only one conductor and the

return path is through earth. The return path as earth is
taken to prevent the underground metallic equipment
from being damaged.

2.3 Bipolar link

This is the most commonly used configuration. It has

two conductors. One of the conductor is positive with
respect to other. The return path is the ground and the
opposite current cancels each other and ground current
is zero.

2.4 Parallel -3 terminals

 In this configuration converter first and second operate
as rectifier and third as inverter. By controlling the
voltage polarity and firing angle 1 and 2 operates as
inverters and 3rd as rectifier.

2.5 Series connection

This configuration is not used much. It is an attractive

proposition for small taps because of high cost of full
voltage parallel tapping alternative.

3. Converter Station as Rectifier:

The main feature of multi pulse rectifier is reduction in line
current harmonic distortions. As the pulses are increased,
harmonics in input decreases and total harmonic distortion
(THD) reduces. The rectifiers with more than 30 pulses are
used rarely because it causes increasing in transformer cost
and performance of converter is also affected.

3.1 Six Pulse Rectifier

It is also known as three phase bridge rectifier which uses
diodes for converting ac to dc. It uses six diodes, arranged in
three legs and each leg having two series connected diodes.
The three phase transformer feeding the bridge is connected
in delta-star. Diodes D1,D3,D5 forms positive group it
conducts when they experience highest positive voltage.
Likewise diodes D2, D4, D6 conducts when subjected to
negative voltage.

In figure (A) source voltage waveform is shown. From wt=30

to 150 degree voltage Va more positive than Vb, Vc. Hence
diode D1 conducts. Likewise from wt=150 to 270 degree Vb
more positive hence diode D3 conducts. Similarly from
wt=270 to 390 degree Vc more positive hence D5 conducts.
Now for negative group of diodes D2 conducts from wt=90 to
210 degree, D4 conducts from wt=210 to 330 degree and
from wt=0 to 90 degree as Vb is more negative D6 conducts.
From figure (C) the value of Vab at wt= 0 is Vml.sin30 and its
periodicity is 60 degree. The output or load voltage
waveform is drawn bt thick curve.

Output voltage

Harmonic Spectrum

Input line current

3.2 Twelve Pulse Rectifier
They are popularly known as three phase twelve pulse
rectifier. As the number of pulses per cycle is increased the
output DC waveform gets improved with lowest value of
ripple content. This rectifier uses total of twelve diodes. A
three phase transformer with two secondary and one delta
connected primary feeds diode rectifier current. On e
winding of secondary connected in star other in delta. Each
bridge rectifier has 6 diodes. Two brigdes are series
connected such that net output voltage is Vout=V01(upper
rectifier output voltage) +V02(lower rectifier output voltage)
If Va1, Vb1 , Vc1 are phase voltage of upper star then upper
line voltage Vab1 would lead Va1 by 30 degree. Similarly
Vbc1 lead by 30 degree to Vb1 and Vca1 lead by 30 degree to
Vc1. Since two rectifier series connected net output voltage
is obtained by adding V01 and V02 and they are shifted from
each other by 30 degree, therefore output voltage Vo
consists of twelve pulses per cycle of supply voltage.

3.3 Eighteen Pulse Rectifier

This is made from standard six pulse diode rectifier. The
transformer is connected in star-star and other one
connected in delta to provide 15 degree phase shift. This
rectifier operation results in absence of 17th and 19th
harmonic in input line current. Bridge can be connected in
series or parallel as per the application. Simulation shows
series connected bridge with star-delta 18 pulse is generated
per AC cycle of input.
3.4 Twenty Four Pulse Rectifier
Two twelve pulse converters phase shifted by 15 degrees
each provide a twenty four pulse. Here four thyristor bridge
rectifiers are used and each bridge has six thyristors. Each six
pulse bridge rectifier has separate transformer. The primaries
of all four connected in series and secondaries of all four in
star connected. Using this rectifier there is enhancement of
power quality.
3.5 Thirty Six Pulse Rectifier
It involves obtaining four 3-phase systems with a defined
phase shift between them from a single 3-phase system using
interconnection of three phase and single phase
transformers. For this type special transformer called phase
shifting transformers is used. THD is less than 5% and lower
ripple in dc output voltage is obtained.
4. Converter Station As Inverter
The 24 pulse inverter is obtained by combining four three
level diode clamped multilevel inverters withy adequate
phase shifts between them. The voltages generated by each
of three level inverters are applied to secondary windings of
four different phase shifting transformers (PST). Two of them
are star-star transformers with turns ratio 1:1 and remaining
two are delta-star with turns ratio 1:1.732. The primary side
of PST are connected in series and pulse pattern will be as
shown in below table.
The waveform showing the conduction angle (sigma) and the
dead angle (beta) in the output of a three level diode
clamped inverter. If this converter is employed to realize
HVDC system the power quality of the system can be
enhanced by using three level voltage converters operating
at an appropriate dead angle.

The harmonics order of 24K+1 or 24K-1 is present. The

conduction angle to minimize harmonics is chosen 172.17
degree and dead angel is chosen 3.9 degree. At these angles
23rd and 25th harmonics are eliminated and also dominating
harmonics are minimized leading to sinusoidal AC voltage
output. In the THD plot only 47th and 49th harmonics
components are present and reduction in THD is 2.95%.

3-level clamped inverter

24-pulse voltage
5.Conclusion
The application of power electronics started with the
emergence of high voltage direct current systems. Although
HVDC was feasible solution for efficient long distance bulk
power transmission along with having harmonic currents had
a challenge. Multi pulse uncontrolled rectifier can designed
using different types of phase shifting transformer with
different phase shifting angles like 0, 20, 15, 10, 30 and
because of its THD of rectifier can decrease by increasing the
number of pulse. For reduction of harmonics a 24 pulse
rectifier was used based on star connected transformer and
the analysis of inverter obtained by combining mutlipulse
-multilevel inverter topologies shows drastic reduction in
THD. These converters are studied in terms of harmonic
spectrum of ac mains current and THD. It is concluded that
with increase in number of pulses in multi-pulse case the
performance parameters of these converters are remarkably
improved which shows power quality enhancement.

REFREENCES:
1. Komal Gamit, Khushbu Chaudhari, “Multi pulse
rectifier using different phase shifting transformers and
its THD comparison for power quality issues”.
2. B.Geethalakshmi, “A dynamic model and control
strategy for the combined multipulse multilevel
converter based HVDC system”.
3. G.Sravanthi, D.Vijaya kumar, I.Ramesh, “24 pulse AC-DC
converters for improved power quality
4. K.Srinivas, “Analysis and implementation of multi pulse
converters for HVDC system”.