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Finite element analysis modeling of high voltage and frequency 3-phase solid state transformers enabled by metal amorphous nanocomposites

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Abstract

We review the materials paradigm for metal amorphous nanocomposite (MANC) soft magnetic materials to showcase in solid state transformers (SSTs). We report 2D finite element analysis (FEA) of 3-phase SSTs operating at 50 Hz–10 kHz frequencies. We benchmark materials in designs to control high frequency losses and achieve higher power densities. FEA models are solved in the time domain for line frequencies of 50 Hz–10 kHz and 100 KW output power for the first 4 cycles. Transformer topologies are coupled to a power analysis using a Steinmetz parameterization of magnetic losses capturing induction and field scaling for transformer grade Si steel as compared to Metglas, Ferrite, FINEMET, Co- and FeNi-based MANCs. Recently discovered FeNi-based MANCs allow smaller transformers at equivalent power as compared to Si steel, Metglas, and Co-based MANCs. Fe-rich and non-Co containing MANCs also offer economies based on lower raw materials costs compared with Co-based MANCs.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work is supported in part by the DOE SunLamp and DOE EERE AMO Programs. Federal Award number: DE-OE0000856 Flexible Large Power Solid State Transformer, Subaward No. 2017-0230-01.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Materials Science & Engineering Department, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, USA

    Mst Nazmunnahar, Satoru Simizu & Michael E. McHenry

  2. National Energy Technology Lab (NETL) and Materials Science & Engineering Department, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15236, USA

    Paul R. Ohodnicki

  3. Electrical Engineering Department, North Carolina University, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27606, USA

    Subhashis Bhattacharya

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  1. Mst Nazmunnahar
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  2. Satoru Simizu
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Nazmunnahar, M., Simizu, S., Ohodnicki, P.R. et al. Finite element analysis modeling of high voltage and frequency 3-phase solid state transformers enabled by metal amorphous nanocomposites. Journal of Materials Research 33, 2138–2147 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2018.66

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