Current-fed Step-up DC/DC Converter for Fuel Cell Applications with Active Overvoltage Clamping

Aleksandrs Andreiciks; Ingars Steiks; Oskars Krievs

doi:10.2478/v10144-010-0032-0

Current-fed Step-up DC/DC Converter for Fuel Cell Applications with Active Overvoltage Clamping

Authors

Aleksandrs Andreiciks Riga Technical University
Ingars Steiks Riga Technical University
Oskars Krievs Riga Technical University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2478/v10144-010-0032-0

Keywords:

fuel cell system, high frequency power converters, ZVS converters

Abstract

In order to use hydrogen fuel cells in domestic applications either as main power supply or backup source, their low DC output voltage has to be matched to the level and frequency of the utility grid AC voltage. Such power converter systems usually consist of a DC-DC converter and a DC-AC inverter. A double inductor step-up push-pull converter is investigated in this paper, presenting simulation and experimental results for passive and active overvoltage clamping. The prototype of the investigated converter is elaborated for 1200 W power to match the rated power of the proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell located in hydrogen fuel cell research laboratory.

References

EGG Services Parsons Inc., "Fuel cell handbook (6th edition)", United States Department of Energy, USA, November 2002.

G. Gentile, S. Meo, F. Esposito, "Comparison Among Different Topologies of DC-DC Converter for Fuel-Cell-Based Inverter System", EPE-PEMC2004, Riga, Latvia, September 2004.

W. Choi, P. N. Enjeti, J. W. Howze, G. Joung, "An experimental evaluation of the effects of ripple current generated by the power conditioning stage on a proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack", Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, New York, USA, Vol. 13. pp.3257-264, 2004.

S. De Caro, A. Testa, D. Triolo, M. Cacciato, A. Consoli, "Low Input Current Ripple Converters for Fuel Cell Power Units// in Proc. Hard Switching Converters and Control EPE 2005. - Germany, 2005.

N. Mohan, T. Undeland, W. P. Robbins, "Power Electronics. Converters, Applications and Design", John Wiley & Sons, ISBN:0-471-22693-9, 2003.

R. W. Erickson, D. Maksimovic, "Fundamentals of Power Electronics", Chapman & Hall, ISBN 0-7923-7270-0, 2001.

J. T. Kim, B. K. Lee, T. W. Lee, S. J. Jang, S. S. Kim, C. Y. Won, "An Active Clamping Current-Fed Half-Bridge Converter for Fuel-Cell Generation Systems", 35th Annual IEEE Power Electronics Specialists Conference, Aachen, Germany, 2004.

F. J. Nome, I. Barbi, "A ZVS Clamping Mode - Current-Fed Push-pull DC-DC Converter", IEEE, 1998.