Pulse multiplication in AC-DC converters for harmonic mitigation in vector-controlled induction motor drives

In this paper, an autotransformer with reduced kilovoltampere rating for 24-pulse ac-dc converter fed vector controlled induction motor drives (VCIMDs) is presented for harmonic current reduction. The 24-pulse operation is achieved using dc ripple reinjection technique in 12-pulse ac-dc converters. The proposed novel harmonic mitigator is found capable of suppressing up to 21st harmonic in the supply current. The procedure for the design of autotransformer for proposed ac-dc converter is presented to show the flexibility in the design for making it a cost-effective replacement suitable for retrofit applications, where presently a 6-pulse diode bridge rectifier is used. The effect of load variation on VCIMD is also studied to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed ac-dc converter. A set of power quality indices on input ac mains and on dc bus for a VCIMD fed from other 24-pulse ac-dc converters are also given to compare their performance. The laboratory prototypes of proposed autotransformers based 12-pulse and 24-pulse ac-dc converters are developed and test results are presented to validate the developed design procedure and the simulation models of these ac-dc converters under varying loads.