A modular multilevel based high-voltage pulse generator for water disinfection applications

The role of irreversible electroporation using pulsed electric field (PEF) is to generate high voltage (HV) pulses with a predefined magnitude and duration. These HV pulses are applied to the treatment chamber until decontamination of the sample is completed. In this paper, a new topology for HV rectangular pulse generation for water disinfection applications is introduced. The proposed topology has four arms comprised of series connected half H-bridge modular multilevel converter cells. The rectangular pulse characteristics can be controlled via a software controller without any physical changes in power topology. The converter is capable of generating both bipolar and monopolar HV pulses with micro-second pulse durations at a high frequency rate with different characteristics. Hence, the proposed topology provides flexibility by software control, along with hardware modularity, scalability, and redundancy. Moreover, a cell's capacitance is relatively small which drastically reduces the converter footprint. The adopted charging and discharging process of the cell capacitors in this topology eliminate the need of any voltage measurements or complex control for cell-capacitors voltage balance. Consequently, continuity of converter operation is assured under cell malfunction. In this paper, analysis and cell-capacitor sizing of the proposed topology are detailed. Converter operation is verified using MATLAB/Simulink simulation and scaled experimentation

A modular multilevel voltage-boosting Marx pulse-waveform generator for electroporation applications

In order to overcome the limitations of the existing classical and solid-state Marx pulse generators, this paper proposes a new modular multilevel voltage-boosting Marx pulse generator (BMPG). The proposed BMPG has hardware features that allow modularity, redundancy, and scalability as well as operational features that alleviate the need of series-connected switches and allows generation of a wide range of pulse waveforms. In the BMPG, a controllable, low-voltage input boost converter supplies, via directing/blocking (D/B) diodes, two arms of a series modular multilevel converter half-bridge sub-modules (HB-SMs). At start up, all the arm's SM capacitors are resonantly charged in parallel from 0 V, simultaneously via directing diodes, to a voltage in excess of the source voltage. After the first pulse delivery, the energy of the SM capacitors decreases due to the generated pulse. Then, for continuous operation without fully discharging the SM capacitors or having a large voltage droop as in the available Marx generators, the SM capacitors are continuously recharged in parallel, to the desired boosted voltage level. Because all SMs are parallelly connected, the boost converter duty ratio is controlled by a single voltage measurement at the output terminals of the boost converter. Due to the proposed SMs structure and the utilization of D/B diodes, each SM capacitor is effectively controlled individually without requiring a voltage sensor across each SM capacitor. Generation of the commonly used pulse waveforms in electroporation applications is possible, while assuring balanced capacitors, hence SM voltages. The proposed BMPG has several topological variations such as utilizing a buck-boost converter at the input stage and replacing the HB-SM with full-bridge SMs. The proposed BMPG topology is assessed by simulation and scaled-down proof-of-concept experimentation to explore its viability for electroporation applications

Operation and control design of an input-series-input-parallel-output-series conversion scheme for offshore DC wind systems

High-power converters for high-voltage direct current transmission systems and collecting networks are attracting increasing interest for application in large offshore wind farms. Offshore wind farms are capable of generating more electric energy at lower cost when compared with onshore wind systems. In this study, DC/DC voltage conversion should be achieved with a power converter that uses readily available semiconductor devices. A modular DC/DC converter can achieve the required system currents and voltages without exceeding semiconductor ratings. In this study, the operation and control strategy for an input-series–input-parallel–output-series (ISIPOS) energy conversion system for wind systems are presented. The ISIPOS system allows the direct connection of wind turbines to the DC grid. In this research, the design process to control the input and output currents and voltages is explained. In addition, a new method to ensure voltage and current sharing between the different modules is presented and explained. The basic structure, control design, and system performance are tested using MATLAB/SIMULINK. Practical results validate the control design flexibility of the ISIPOS topology when controlled by a TMSF280335 DSP

High-Voltage Pulse Generators for Electroporation Applications: A Systematic Review

In recent years, the use of electroporation process has attracted much attention, due to its application in various industrial and medical fields. Electroporation is a microbiology technique which creates tiny holes in the cell membrane by the applied electric field. The electroporation process needs high-voltage pulses to provide the required electric field. To generate high-voltage pulses, a pulse generator device must be used. High-voltage pulse generators can be mainly divided into two major groups: Classical pulse generators and power electronics-based pulse generators. As their name suggests, the first group is associated with the primary and elementary pulse generators like Marx generators, and the second group is associated with the pulse generators that have been updated with the advancement of power electronics like Modular Multilevel Converters. These two major groups are also divided into several subgroups which are reviewed in detail in this paper. This study reviews the literature presented in the field of pulse power and pulse generators proper for the electroporation process and addresses their strengths and weaknesses. Several tables are provided to highlight and discuss the characteristics of each subgroup. Finally, a comparative study among different groups of pulse generators is performed which is followed by a classification performance analysis

Industrial and Technological Applications of Power Electronics Systems

The Special Issue "Industrial and Technological Applications of Power Electronics Systems" focuses on: - new strategies of control for electric machines, including sensorless control and fault diagnosis; - existing and emerging industrial applications of GaN and SiC-based converters; - modern methods for electromagnetic compatibility. The book covers topics such as control systems, fault diagnosis, converters, inverters, and electromagnetic interference in power electronics systems. The Special Issue includes 19 scientific papers by industry experts and worldwide professors in the area of electrical engineering

High-voltage pulse generators incorporating modular multilevel converter sub-modules

Recent research established the effectiveness of applying a pulsed electric field to deactivate harmful microorganisms (such as bacteria and E. coli). Successful deactivation is achieved by lethal electroporation; a process that produces electric pores in the biological cell membrane of the harmful microorganisms when subjected to high-voltage (HV) pulses. The HV pulses are designed to create pores beyond a critical size at which the biological cell can reseal.;In contrast when applying non-lethal electroporation, the cell-membrane survives after the electroporation process. This is required, for example, when inserting protein cells in the cell-membrane. In both lethal and non-lethal electroporation, HV pulses in the kilo-Volt range (1-100 kV) with durations ranging between nanoseconds and milliseconds are required.;This thesis proposes nine pulse generator (PG) topologies based on power electronic devices and modular multilevel converter sub-modules. The proposed topologies are divided into two main groups namely: PGs fed from a HV DC supply and PGs fed from an LV DC supply. The first group presents a new family of HV DC fed topologies that improve the performance of existing HV DC fed PGs, such as flexible pulse-waveform generation and full utilisation of the DC link voltage.;The second group is dedicated to a new family of LV DC fed PG topologies which have flexible pulse-waveform generation, controlled operation efficiency, and high voltage gain.;All the proposed PG topologies share the important aspect in the newly developed HV PGs, that is modularity, which offers redundancy and robust pulse generation operation.;The presented PG topologies are supported by theoretical analysis, simulations, and experimentation.Recent research established the effectiveness of applying a pulsed electric field to deactivate harmful microorganisms (such as bacteria and E. coli). Successful deactivation is achieved by lethal electroporation; a process that produces electric pores in the biological cell membrane of the harmful microorganisms when subjected to high-voltage (HV) pulses. The HV pulses are designed to create pores beyond a critical size at which the biological cell can reseal.;In contrast when applying non-lethal electroporation, the cell-membrane survives after the electroporation process. This is required, for example, when inserting protein cells in the cell-membrane. In both lethal and non-lethal electroporation, HV pulses in the kilo-Volt range (1-100 kV) with durations ranging between nanoseconds and milliseconds are required.;This thesis proposes nine pulse generator (PG) topologies based on power electronic devices and modular multilevel converter sub-modules. The proposed topologies are divided into two main groups namely: PGs fed from a HV DC supply and PGs fed from an LV DC supply. The first group presents a new family of HV DC fed topologies that improve the performance of existing HV DC fed PGs, such as flexible pulse-waveform generation and full utilisation of the DC link voltage.;The second group is dedicated to a new family of LV DC fed PG topologies which have flexible pulse-waveform generation, controlled operation efficiency, and high voltage gain.;All the proposed PG topologies share the important aspect in the newly developed HV PGs, that is modularity, which offers redundancy and robust pulse generation operation.;The presented PG topologies are supported by theoretical analysis, simulations, and experimentation

NASA Tech Briefs Index, 1976

Abstracts of new technology derived from the research and development activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration are presented. Emphasis is placed on information considered likely to be transferrable across industrial, regional, or disciplinary lines. Subject matter covered includes: electronic components and circuits; electronic systems; physical sciences; materials; life sciences; mechanics; machinery; fabrication technology; and mathematics and information sciences

NASA patent abstracts bibliography: A continuing bibliography. Section 2: Indexes (supplement 04)

For abstract, see N74-20609

NASA patent abstracts bibliography: A continuing bibliography. Section 2: Indexes (supplement 06)

For abstract, see N75-20149