Skip to main content
Log in

High-frequency full-bridge isolated DC–DC converter for fuel cell power generation systems

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Electrical Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The paper presents high-frequency isolated soft-switching DC–DC converter for generating regulated high output voltage from fuel cell power modules using secondary-side phase-shift control to eliminate idling and circulating currents. The converter topology incorporates high-frequency center tap transformer with secondary-side phase-shift soft-switching control. Parasitic capacitors of the switching devices and the transformer leakage inductance are utilized to achieve zero-voltage switching (ZVS) in the primary side of the high-frequency transformer. Therefore, no extra resonant components are required for ZVS in the proposed converter. The inherent soft-switching capability allows high power density, efficient power conversion, and compact packaging. A prototype rated at 6.5 kW is proposed and simulated in PSIM software for validation purposes. The outcomes are very encouraging and confirm the wide range voltage control and soft-switching operation of proposed phase-shift converter.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Jung S, Bae Y, Choi S, Kim H (2007) A low cost utility interactive inverter for residential fuel cell generation. IEEE Trans Power Electron 22(6):2293–2298

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Lu B, Qiu Y, Wang C, Kang Y, Sun J, Dong W, Canales F, Barbosa P, Xu M, Lee FC, Gean R, Tipton WC, Urciuoli D (2005) A high power density high voltage distributed power system for pulse power applications. In: Proc. of IEEE applied power electronics conference and exposition, USA, November 2007, pp 210–216

  3. Smith C, Gilliom M, Urciuoli D, Mclandrich A, Pepa E, Lai JS (2003) Low-cost solid oxide fuel cell power conditioning with bidirectional charging. In: Proc. of fuel cell seminar, USA, March 2005, pp 9–15

  4. Huang B, Sadli I, Martin J-P, Davat B (2006) Design of a high power, high step-up non-isolated DC–DC converter for fuel cell applications. In: Proc. of IEEE vehicle power and propulsion conference, Windsor, September 2006, pp 1–6

  5. Prudente M, Pfitscher LL, Gules R (2005) A boost converter with voltage multiplier cells. In: Proc. of IEEE power electronics specialists conference, Brazil, June 2005, pp 2716–2721

  6. Nomura H, Fujiwara K, Yoshida M (2006) A new DC–DC converter circuit with larger step-up/down ratio. In: Proc. of IEEE power electronics specialists conference, Korea, June 2006, pp 3006–3012

  7. Dang BV, Lembeye Y, Freeieux JP, Barbaroux J, Avenas Y (2006) New high power-high ratio non isolated dc-dc converter for fuel cell applications. In: Proc. of IEEE power electronics specialists conference, Korea, June 2006, pp 1148–1154

  8. Palma L, Harfman Todorovic M, Enjeti P (2005) A high gain transformer-less DC-DC converter for fuel-cell applications. In: Proc. of IEEE power electronics specialists conference, Brazil, June 2005, pp 2514

  9. Liu C, Lai JS (2005) Low frequency current ripple reduction technique with active control in a fuel cell power system with inverter load. In: Proc. IEEE power electronics specialists conference, Brazil, June 2005, pp 2905–2911

  10. Fontes G, Turpin C, Saisset R, Meynard T, Astier S (2004) Interactions between fuel cells and power converters Influence of current harmonics on a fuel cell stack. In: Proc. IEEE power electronics specialists conference, Germany, June 2004, pp 4729–4735

  11. Pugazhendiran P, Nisham M (2012) DC-DC bidrectional isolated converter for fuel cells and super capacitors hybrid system. Int J Power Control Signal Comput 4(2):55–60

    Google Scholar 

  12. Nymand M, Andersen MAE (2008) A new approach to high efficiency in isolated boost converters for high-power low-voltage fuel cell applications. In: 13th international power electronics and motion control conference, Poland, September 2008, pp 127–131

  13. Moiseev S, Hamada S, Nakaoka M (2003) Novel soft-switching phase-shift PWM DC-DC converter. Proc Jpn Soc Power Electron Res Meet 28:107–116

    Google Scholar 

  14. Zhang J, Zhang F, Xie X, Jiao D, Qian Z (2004) A novel ZVS DC/DC converter for high power applications. IEEE Trans Power Electron 19(2):420–429

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Mishima T, Nakaoka M (2011) Practical evaluations of A ZVS-PWMDC-DC converter with secondary-side phase-shifting active rectifier. IEEE Trans Power Electron 57(99):1–12

    Google Scholar 

  16. Ahmed NA, Lee HW, Nakaoka M (2006) A high-frequency planer transformer isolated ZVS DC-DC power converter with secondary-side phase-shifted ZCS active switches. In: Proc. of international conference on electrical engineering, Korea, July 2006

  17. Packnezhad M, Farzanehfard H (2009) A fully soft-switched ZVZCS full-bridge PWM converter. In: Proc. of IEEE symposium on industrial electronics and applications, Malaysia, October 2009, pp 801–806

  18. Wenli L, Ying M, Danan S, Shaolin W, Zhigang L (2008) Design of a soft switched 8kW battery charging converter for 100% low floor light rail vehicle. In: Proc. of IEEE vehicle power and propulsion conference, China, September 2008

  19. Powersim Technologies, PSIM Ver. 9.3.4, for Power Electronics Simulations, User Manual, Vancouver, Canada. https://www.powersimtech.com. Accessed 11 June 2014

  20. de León F, Purushothaman S, Qaseer L (2014) Leakage inductance design of toroidal transformers by sector winding. IEEE Trans Power Electron 29(1):473–480

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Villar I, Viscarret U, Etxeberria-Otadui I, Rufer A (2009) Global loss evaluation methods for nonsinusoidally fed medium-frequency power transformers. IEEE Trans Ind Electron 56(10):4132–4140

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Nie Y, Hu Q, Huang Y (2008) The measurement and prediction of iron loss under nonsinusoidal voltage waveform with arbitrary frequency. In: International conference in electrical machines and systems (ICEMS), Oct. 2008, pp 232–236

  23. Dimitrakakis G, Tatakis E (2009) High-frequency copper losses in magnetic components with layered windings. IEEE Trans Magn 45(8):3187–3199

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nabil A. Ahmed.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ahmed, N.A., Madouh, J.Y. High-frequency full-bridge isolated DC–DC converter for fuel cell power generation systems. Electr Eng 100, 239–251 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00202-016-0499-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00202-016-0499-6

Keywords

Navigation