1/23/11 8:34 PMRedkoh Industries, Inc. - Switch Mode Power Supply For Electrostatic Precipitators

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Redkoh Industries' Switch Mode Power Supply For Electrostatic Precipitators

How can we help you?1. Introduction

The vast majority of ElectrostaticPrecipitator (ESP) power supplies inuse today operate at a fixed frequencyof 60 Hz. In recent years variouspower supply designs usingfrequencies in the >10,000 Hz rangehave been used for ESP’s with thegoal of improving ESP fieldefficiencies. The difference inperformance is almost completely dueto the low ripple voltage delivered bysuch power supplies. RedkohIndustries’ high frequency powersupply can be operated in a range of200 Hz to 1000 Hz. At the preferredfrequency of 400 Hz the Redkohsystem has been demonstrated toachieve ripple reduction to negligiblevalue while avoiding the complexityand reliability problems of higherfrequency power supplies.

The Redkoh system provides thesignificant advantages of higherfrequencies while permitting the use ofexisting transformer-rectifiers andexisting interconnecting wiring. Thecontrol system can be housed in existing TR controls cabinets. If desired, the Redkoh system may bepowered by existing single phase feed* or by 3 phase feed if available. The use of frequencies between 200and 1000 Hz permits the reliability that is associated with conventional TR’s.

These abilities provide a host of advantages to precipitator operation and maintenance. The lower frequencySwitch Mode Power Supply allows improved ESP power at a lower cost and with easier installation thanhigher frequency supplies.

2. Background

The use of higher frequency SwitchMode Power Supplies (SMPS) forElectrostatic Precipitators has gainedacceptance as a means ofperformance improvement. Even asthe early high failure rates of suchpower supplies has improved. Highcost and decreased reliability continueto accompany present units running at10,000 cycles/sec (Hz) and above. In

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1/23/11 8:34 PMRedkoh Industries, Inc. - Switch Mode Power Supply For Electrostatic Precipitators

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addition conversion to 10,000+ Hzsystems require scrapping of existingcontrols, TR’s and power connections,as well as requiring the routing of 3phase power to the ESP rooftop. In

addition, maintenance of such high frequency systems require significant training of plant maintenancepersonnel and/or additional maintenance expense due to lack of supplier documentation and availability ofspare parts.

In order to offer a more practical and reliable approach to SMPS application Redkoh has developed a mid-frequency power supply. This supply is capable of operation from 200 Hz to 1000 Hz, and in most instancespermits the use of existing 60 Hz transformer- rectifiers. The improved performance is especially relevant tosparking fields that are current suppressed. With such a field, using a 400 Hz supply can easily affect a 15%increase in KV and an increase of ESP field power in excess of 25%.

3. Description of High Frequency Power Supplies

A single phase or three phase AC main power source is fed into a rectifier and filter combination to create arelatively smooth DC power source. A three phase set-up is shown in Figure 1. The use of an alternate single-phase feed requires additional components for filtering, yet is still viable within existing cabinets. This DCsource is then fed into an integrated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) full wave bridge circuit where it is convertedinto a high frequency AC waveform. The use of sub kilohertz frequencies permits the use of the existing TRwith the existing internal rectifiers and feedback signals. The value of the existing CLR for the conversion mustbe reviewed for possible modification. Typically lower CLR values are needed. See Fig. 1

4. Retrofit to existing systems

The Redkoh system can be retrofit to a precipitator electrical field through the use of existing control cabinetsand existing TR’s. Retrofit applications of the Redkoh system typically permits the reuse of Control Cabinetcomponents such as Circuit Breakers, Contactors, PT’s, CT’s and control wiring. The installation involves theremoval of the 60 Hz SCR assembly and replacement with the Redkoh SMPS switch module.

Demonstration systems currently in use are based on a standard 60 Hz Redkoh Controller, widely used in theindustry, modified for SMPS control. The Redkoh controller offers all the convenience and ease of operationthat has made it the preferred controller by many ESP - OEM’s and end users in the US and abroad.

**Patent Pending Currently under development at Redkoh is a “Third Party” retrofit kit that will permit theretention of existing (Non-Redkoh) controls if the use of other controls is preferred. This will allow 3rd partycontrols to have many of their standard features Implemented at an elevated frequency. Thus allowing the

1/23/11 8:34 PMRedkoh Industries, Inc. - Switch Mode Power Supply For Electrostatic Precipitators

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customer to maintain important facilities such as existing communication links and outside interfaces.

The SMPS switch module is assembled on a steel panel that occupies roughly the same space as an existingSCR module. Mounted on a common heat sink are the rectifiers, the filter assembly, IGBT Modules, and IGBTGate drivers. The Redkoh controller outputs a field programmable frequency to fire the IGBT’s that can befrom a few 100 Hz up to 1000 Hz. Feedback control uses existing ma and KV feedback for voltage, Currentand spark/arc Control. The higher frequency permits a CLR of much lower mHy value to achieve protectivecurrent limiting as well as waveform shaping.

The Redkoh SMPS controller uses interrupt driven spark detection and control allowing response to spark andarc disruptions to be processed in micro-second response time. Such rapid response reduces the intensity ofsuch disruptions and the damage arcing can do to ESP internals and insulators.

5. Transformer Rectifier

The SMPS output frequency AC source created by the control circuit can be fed into an existing electrostaticprecipitator Transformer Rectifier, or into a new, smaller and lighter specially designed, high frequencytransformer rectifier. In most applications the existing transformer and rectifier system can easilyaccommodate a feed frequency of up to 1000 Hz without and detrimental effect. The series CLR in theprimary of the TR however must be changed to a lower value to accommodate the higher frequency powerfeed.

Generally, a 400 Hz transformer is approximately half the size of a 60 Hz transformer. The 400 Hz Redkohtransformer-rectifier system is smaller then a 60 Hz unit, but the size reduction will not be nearly as much ascan be realized by the 10 kHz + systems. The Redkoh systems however do not require active ventilation fansbe used with the TR.

6. Advantages of Switching Power Supplies

Higher power levels

The efficiency of an ESP field is closely related to the level of average power that can be delivered to the field.The power level that can be delivered to an ESP field, however, is almost always limited by the spark-overvoltage that the field can withstand. Sparking and arcing typically occur at the peak of the KV waveform. TheKV ripple, as well the ratio of the peak voltage to the average voltage is reduced through the use of higherswitching frequencies. A 400 Hz signal would tend to reduce the value of such ripple. Due to the steep natureof an ESP V-I curve, a relatively small increase in KV could result in a significant increase in current.

Faster spark control

Unlike SCRs that depend upon the natural zero crossing of the 60 Hz feed signal to turn off, IGBT controlpermits instantaneous (micro-second) turn off. This ability provides the means for drastically reducing theenergy delivered to the ESP during sparking and thus should reduce internal component erosion and insulatortracking.

7. Higher Collection Efficiency

Because the frequency of the DC voltage to the precipitator has been increased from 60 Hz to 400 Hz, theripple voltage is only 5% to 10% of the DC voltage level. With 60 Hertz the ripple voltage can be 35-40%.

Because the ripple voltage is less, the precipitator can be operated at a much higher average voltage beforeflashover occurs. An increase in voltage should result in an increase in precipitator collection efficiency, anddecrease in outlet emissions.

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8. Energy Savings

The response time of a typical SCR controlled transformer rectifier can be no faster than 8.33 milliseconds.However, at the higher frequency operating level of Redkoh’s SMPS controller, the response time can be asquick as 100 microseconds, an order of magnitude quicker.

This quicker response time allows the control to reduce the short circuit inrush current created by arcing in theprecipitator. Short circuits created by arcs simply send current to ground and waste power. By reducing thesearcs, power is conserved.

9. High Power Factor

The Three Phase input permits a better power factor as well as better load balance.

Literature

Precipitator power supplies use of 60 Hz TRs at 400 Hz by Hank DelGatto

Redkoh Industries, IncPhone: +1 (908) 369-

1590Fax: +1 (908) 369-1594

E-Mail:info@redkoh.com