Journal Pre-proof

AN INTEGRATED ISOLATED INVERTER FED BLDC MOTOR FOR

PHOTOVOLTAIC AGRIC PUMPING SYSTEMS

K.E. Lakshmiprabha , C. Govindaraju

PII: S0141-9331(20)30435-X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micpro.2020.103276
Reference: MICPRO 103276

To appear in: Microprocessors and Microsystems

Received date: 13 August 2020

Revised date: 16 September 2020
Accepted date: 21 September 2020

Please cite this article as: K.E. Lakshmiprabha , C. Govindaraju , AN INTEGRATED ISOLATED IN-
VERTER FED BLDC MOTOR FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC AGRIC PUMPING SYSTEMS, Microprocessors
and Microsystems (2020), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micpro.2020.103276

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© 2020 Published by Elsevier B.V.

 A NOVEL DC TO DC CONVERTER INTEGRATED WITH INVERTER
FED BLDC MOTOR FOR PHOTO AGRI PUMPING SYSTEMS

K .E. Lakshmiprabha*1 and C. Govindaraju2

*1
Karpaga Vinayaga College of Engineering and Technology, Chennai, India
2
Government College of Engineering, Salem, India

*1 2
karpagalakshbha2300@gmail.com, drcgovindaraju@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This research article proposes an isolated converter integrated with Pulse Width
Modulated (PWM) Inverter fed Brushless DC motor (BLDC) for Photovoltaic agric
pumping applications. The drift free Optimum Power Point Tracking (OPPT) algorithm is
utilized to get maximum power from the Photo Voltaic (PV) Module. The proposed
inverter has the features of high voltage gain, galvanic isolation, and better performance
even in partially shaded conditions. Photovoltaic Agric Pumping System (PMPS) is
aimed to support the rural development and reduce the maximum demand and burden on
the distribution system. The proposed one is simulated with Matlab/Simulink software
and prototype model also built with Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) controller.
The developed system results demonstrate that its capability of better solar power
utilization for water pumping applications.

Keywords BLDC Motor, FPGA, DC-DC converter, MPPT, Voltage source Inverter

I. INTRODUCTION

In recent era, renewable energy systems are plays major role for electricity
generation which reduces the global warming issues and air pollution. The most popular
new energy sources are wind energy, fuel cell and solar PV system [1]. Further, alternate
energy minimizes the capital investment and running cost in conventional power plants.
PV sourced agric pumping system increases its attention due to availability of free energy
from Sun and overall cost reduction of PV per kW.
The voltage level in single Photo Voltaic Module (PVM) is very low and it is not
stiff source, so a converter interface is required. In order to interface PV Source and load,
DC-DC converter is needed and operated with MPPT [2]. Buck, Boost and Buck-Boost
converters are normally used for PVM [3-5]. Buck converters reduce voltage level and
suitable for MPPT control at minimum changes in irradiance or temperature. Boost
converter increase the output voltage, maximum twice the input. Buck-boost converter is
derived from concatenation of Buck and Boost converters. The boost converter is not
suitable for higher loading, because the system is reached maximum power point at
preeminent conditions. The efficiency of the MPPT is depends on the input impedance of
converter at different atmospheric conditions.

Many isolated and non-isolated high step up converters have been developed by
ambit researchers in the past era [6-8]. An isolated converter makes better voltage gain,
also ensures galvanic isolation, which is the right candidate for Solar PV systems. Yang
and Do [9] have developed a soft switching flyback converter, and achieved low loss
with less voltage distortion. Tarzagmni et al. [10] have proposed a soft switching DC-DC
converter, has less switching losses with low voltage stress and capable of operating at
higher switching frequencies.

Photovoltaic system has MPPT for better harvest of solar power. In recent years,
many researchers forced to develop numerous MPPT techniques. Perturb and Observe
(P&O), Incremental Conductance (IC), and Hill Climbing MPPT algorithms are used for
SPV to improve the harvesting power [11-15]. Drift effect often occurs in P&O technique
due to irradiance variation. Killi and Samanta [16] have proposed a modified P&O
accepting shadow situations and produce the maximum power from SPV. SPV high step
up converter used for water pumping systems acts as an interfacing circuit. Brushless DC
(BLDC) motor is a choice for agric pumping, because of higher torque current ratio,
flexible control, also better operating efficiency.
 This paper proposes an integrated isolated converter with PWM Inverter
connected BLDC motor for Photo Voltaic Agric Pumping (PVAP) system [20]. This
research article is presented as follows. In the second section, integrated photovoltaic
agric pumping system is described. Control scheme for stand-alone Photovoltaic Agric
Water pumping system is elaborated in the third section. Simulation studies and hardware
results discussed in the forth section [21]. Finally, some conclusions are derived in
section V.
II. INTEGRATED PHOTOVOLTAIC AGRIC PUMPING SYSTEM

Figure 1 Functional diagram of proposed photovoltaic agric pump system

The research motive is to design a highly efficient power electronic interface

suitable for water pumping in agriculture applications with freely available solar energy
which reduce the maximum demand and losses in distribution system. As per the
functional diagram as shown in Figure 1, proposed structure contains isolated boost
converter, BLDC motor, PWM Inverter, along with centrifugal pump.
(a) Isolated boost converter
 An Isolated boost converter is made with two MOSFET switches connected
through High Frequency Isolation Transformer (HFIT). Its control as complementary
nature operates based on MPPT control signal. The secondary side of HFIT, diode bridge
circuit added for unidirectional DC output. It operates two modes for energy transfer.
In Mode 1 Operation, converter switch S1 is to be ON and MOSFET S2 becomes
OFF as per figure 2 (a), current flows occur from DC source to upper primary of HFIT
through S1. Further, the diode D1 and D4 becomes forward bias, makes the current flow,
results DC voltage available in the capacitor C1. In this mode, D2 and D3 turned OFF due
to reverse bias condition.
 (a)

(b)
Figure 2 Isolated boost converter operation modes
 In Mode 2 Operation, converter MOSFET S2 is to be ON and S1 becomes as
shown in figure 2 (b), current flows occur from DC source to lower part of primary of
HFIT through S2. Further, the diode D2 and D3 makes current flow, results DC voltage
available in the capacitor C1. In this mode, D1 and D4 turned OFF due to reverse bias
condition. The control pulses for converter switches are derived from MPPT control
algorithm.
(b) Drift Free P&O MPPT Algorithm
MPPT controllers optimize peak SPV power to match the load in different low
sunlight conditions, and make the constant voltage from SPV array. The drift free P&O
MPPT approach is utilized to extract peak power from connected SPV source. SPV
module voltage and current are continuously monitored by this algorithm, accordingly
duty ratio for S1 & S2 are varied. FPGA not having inbuilt Analog to Digital converter
(ADC), the external ADC IC PCF8591 is utilized to convert analog PV panel voltage and
current from the corresponding sensors. Digital pulses from ADC are fed into the FPGA
with the help of I2C protocol. The perturbation size is selected in such that processing
speed of this algorithm is improved. Figure 3 shows the adopted P&O MPPT for the new
system.
Figure 3 Algorithm for modified P&O MPPT
(c ) PWM Inverter interfaced BLDC Motor
PWM inverter is made with six MOSFET switches M1 – M6 for DC-AC
conversion with controllable voltage and frequency for BLDC motor control. Electronic
commutation control scheme is used for BLDC motor due to its flexibility in realization
and better performance. Hall Effect sensors are used for electronic commutation which is
inherent in BLDC motor in order to sense the rotor position. The surface mounted BLDC
motor is used for analysis and is mounted directly on the water pump.

The switching sequence for the inverter MOSFETs is shown in table 1. The
position of the rotor is continuously tracked with the help of hall position sensors (Hs1-
Hs3) and the respective switching sequence is generated. As per pulses from rotor
position sensors, MOSFET switches in PWM inverter are controlled. Fundamental
frequency modulation is possible for BLDC motor control with electronic commutation.

Table 1 PWM Inverter Electronic Commutation for BLDC Motor

Degree Pulses from Hall Sensors PWM Inverter switching states
(°) Hs3 Hs2 Hs1 M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6
0 -60 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0
60-120 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1
120-180 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1
180-240 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
240-300 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
300-360 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0

III. Control strategy for stand-alone Photovoltaic Agric pumping system

The proposed system operates based on standalone control scheme which is the
main factors considered for remote areas. In this mode, power equivalence in between
SPV source and BLDC motor achieved through power electronic system. PWM inverter
is made controllable; so that the power balance can be achieved by regulating BLDC
motor speed.

According to water level in well, water pump torque is variable in nature; hence
power is also changing in relation with the speed. The DC link voltage for PWM inverter
decreases when PV power is less than load power in standalone system. SPV power is
higher than load; it raises its DC link voltage. Power balance is possible here by manage
DC bus voltage. The Scheme for power equivalence adopted in PWM inverter, is shown
in figure 4.

Vpv Voltage
+ Speed Limiter + Speed Controller
- Controller -
Control Signal
for PWM
Generation
Vdc N

Figure 4 Power balance control scheme for PWM inverter

The power management is done by controlling inverter power, with variable

BLDC motor speed within predefined acceptable range. In this control scheme, the DC
link voltage is managed with respect to set point. The difference in SPV voltage and DC
link voltage is modified by voltage controller to produce speed reference. Then PI
controller is used in the speed control loop to control the motor speed within defined
speed limits. The BLDC motor speed is controlled to deliver full water even though the
variation in solar weather conditions. The soft starting is made in BLDC motor with
PWM control in inverter.

IV. SIMULATION AND HARDWARE RESULTS

The simulation studies of a new system are done with MATLAB/SIMULINK.

This system is completely driven by FPGA controller to control BLDC motor coupled
with centrifugal pump. FPGA (SPARTAN-3E XC3S100E) is used for gate pulse
generation for inverter switches (M1-M6). MPPT technique was implemented in FPGA
SPARTAN-3E XC3S100E controller to track peak power from SPV module. MPPT
controller delivers the PWM pulses for isolated DC-DC converter switches. The power
balance control algorithm is also implemented with the same controller.

The transformer turn ratio of HFIT is taken as 0.8:0.8:1. The isolated converter
output voltage is derived and expressed by (1).

( )(
(1)
)

where, α is duty ratio, is source voltage, is the number of secondary turns, and
are the number of primary turns. The DC link capacitor size is found as
( )
(2)

The system specifications for the new system are listed in the table 2.

System Specifications Device Rating

SPV Panel Maximum power = 0.6 kW
Open circuit Voltage = 32 V
Short circuit current = 19 A
Isolated converter switching frequency 24 kHz
DC link capacitor 372 µF
Inverter Three Phase MOSFET module, 600V, 10A
BLDC Motor ½ hp, 3000 rpm, 230V, 1.6A
Pump Centrifugal pump
An experimental prototype was developed to drive a ½ hp BLDC motor with
water pumping arrangement shown in the figure 5.
Figure 5 Experiment setup for the proposed Photovoltaic agric pumping system
 The DC input voltage for isolated DC-DC converter is shown in figure 6 (a) and
(b). For experimental studies, Dc source from PV panel is recorded in the scope.

(a) (b)
Figure 6 a) DC Source input for proposed system
 The isolated converter output voltage is presented in the figure 7. From these
simulation and hardware waveforms n figure 7.a and b, it is observed that SPV voltage is
getting boosted up and maintained constant.

(a) (b)
Figure 7 Isolated Converter SPV output voltage
 Isolated converter operates with MPPT controller; maintain constant voltage and
constant current when delivering constant power output to the three-phase inverter. The
simulation and prototype results for converter output voltages with variation in solar
irradiation are presented in figure 8 (a) and (b). The MPPT performance is satisfied under
dynamic variation happening in atmospheric circumstances.

(a) (b)
Figure 7 Isolated DC-DC Converter output voltages with change in solar irradiation
Figure 8 BLDC Motor performances with Centrifugal pump
The steady state performance BLDC Motor performances with Centrifugal pump at full
load conditions are shown in figure 8. The variation of the motor-pump performances are
DC link voltage Vdc, stator current Is motor speed, N, and electromagnetic torque, Te are
due to solar irradiation only. At minimum irradiation level, the performance of proposed
system possess their minimum values, but within acceptable level.

The FPGA controller generates the pulses to control the PWM inverter to supply
the voltage and current to the BLDC motor connected with the pump. The inverter output
voltage and a current are supplied to the stator of the BLDC motor, as shown in figure 9.
 (a) (b)

(c)

Figure 9 Experiment waveforms for Inverter Output voltage and current with
BLDC Motor
 The BLDC motor with pump load speed response at closed loop condition is
presented in figure 9; it is clearly show that the speed of the BLDC motor is maintained
constant. The experimental speed values were measured with the help of proximity
sensors which is connected nearby to the motor shaft. The motor runs at rated speed,
irrespective of the transitions happened. The proposed system is highly suitable for solar
photovoltaic agric pumping systems.

Figure 10 Effects of change in solar irradiance G (W/m2) on the motor speed

Conclusion

This research paper has demonstrated the operation and control of standalone isolated
inverter fed BLDC motor with solar PV systems for agric pumping systems. An isolated
converter operates in drift free P&O MPPT, delivers the constant boosted DC link
voltage. A standalone power balance algorithm incorporated in the inverter control for
BLDC motor suitable through DC link voltage control. A simulation and prototype model
for the proposed system was developed with FPGA control platform for performance
analysis. The feasibility of proposed system for agricultural water pumping was verified
with simulation and hardware results.
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Lakshmiprabha Ethirajan received B.E Electrical and Electronics

Engineering from Anna University, Tamilnadu, India, in 2005, and M.E
Power System from Anna University, Chennai, India in 2008. She is
currently working as a Part-time Research Scholar in Department of
Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Government College of
Engineering, Salem, India. Her research interests are converter design and
control for Photovoltaic system.
Govindaraju C received B.E Electrical and Electronics Engineering from
Government College of Engineering, Salem, India, in 1999; and M.E Power
Electronics and Drives from College of Engineering, Anna University,
Chennai, India, in 2003 and Ph.D in Power Electronics from Anna
University, Chennai, India, in 2011. At present, he is an Associate
Professor in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Government College of
Engineering, Salem, India. His current research interests are Smart Grid and
power converter design for renewable energy systems.
Biography

Lakshmiprabha Ethirajan received the B.E degree in Electrical and Electronics

Engineering from Anna University, Tamilnadu, India,in 2005, and the M.E degree in
Power System from the Anna University, Chennai, India in 2008. She is currently
working as a Part-time Research Scholar in Department of Electrical and Electronics
Engineering, Government College of Engineering,Salem,India. Her research interests
include DC-DC converter topologies and control for standalone photovoltaic system for
Agricultural Applications.

Govindaraju Chinnathambi received his B.E degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the
Government College of Engineering, Salem, India, in 1999; and his M.E. degree in Power Electronics and
Drives from the College of Engineering, Anna University, Chennai, India, in 2003 and his Ph.D. degree in
the field of Energy Efficient Multilevel Inverters from Anna University, Chennai, India, in 2011. He is
presently an Assistant Professor in the department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Government
College of Engineering, Salem, India. His current research interest includes multilevel inverters, power
electronic interfaces for renewable energy systems, and smart grids
Conflict of interest

The experimental values were validated with simulation parameters. Results demonstrate that the
developed hardware is capable of driving BLDC motor load. Also, the performance of closed
loop PI control was evaluated by varying the solar irradiance (G). This work can be implemented
in modern photoagric system and residential agric sourced by renewable energy systems such as
solar energy system.