Redkoh Industries' Switch Mode Power Supply For Electrostatic Precipitators

1.Introduction

The vast majority of Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP) power supplies in use today operate at a fixed frequency of 60 Hz. 

Redkoh Industries’ high frequency power supply can be operated in a range
of 100 Hz to 3200 Hz.

The Redkoh system has been demonstrated to achieve ripple reduction to negligible value while avoiding the complexity and reliability problems of
higher frequency power supplies.

The Redkoh system provides the significant advantages of higher
frequencies while permitting the use of existing transformer-rectifiers and existing interconnecting wiring.

The control system can be housed in existing TR controls cabinets
and  permits the reliability that is associated with conventional TR’s.

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

The use of higher frequency Switch Mode Power Supplies (SMPS) for Electrostatic Precipitators has gained acceptance as a means of performance improvement.

In order to offer a more practical and reliable approach to SMPS application Redkoh has developed a switch mode power supply.

This supply is capable of operation from 100 Hz to 3200 Hz, and in most instances permits the use of existing 60 Hz transformer- rectifiers.

The improved performance is especially relevant to sparking fields that are current suppressed.

Conversion to 10,000+ Hz systems require scrapping of existing controls, TR’s and power connections, as well as requiring the routing of 3 phase power to the ESP rooftop.
 

A single phase or three phase AC main power source is fed into a rectifier and filter combination to create a relatively 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 DC source is then fed into an integrated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) full wave bridge circuit where it is converted into a high frequency AC waveform. The use of sub kilohertz frequencies permits the use of the existing TR with the existing internal rectifiers and feedback signals. The value of the existing CLR for the conversion must be reviewed for possible modification. Typically lower CLR values are needed. See Fig. 1

The Redkoh system can be retrofit to a precipitator electrical field through the use of existing control cabinets and existing TR’s. Retrofit applications of the Redkoh system typically permits the reuse of Control Cabinet components such as Circuit Breakers, Contactors, PT’s, CT’s and control wiring. The installation involves the removal 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 the industry, modified for SMPS control. The Redkoh controller offers all the convenience and ease of operation that 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 the retention of existing (Non-Redkoh) controls if the use of other controls is preferred. This will allow 3rd party controls to have many of their standard features Implemented at an elevated frequency. Thus allowing the 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 existing SCR module. Mounted on a common heat sink are the rectifiers, the filter assembly, IGBT Modules, and IGBT Gate drivers. The Redkoh controller outputs a field programmable frequency to fire the IGBT’s that can be from a few 100 Hz up to 1000 Hz. Feedback control uses existing ma and KV feedback for voltage, Current and spark/arc Control. The higher frequency permits a CLR of much lower mHy value to achieve protective current limiting as well as waveform shaping.

The Redkoh SMPS controller uses interrupt driven spark detection and control allowing response to spark and arc disruptions to be processed in micro-second response time. Such rapid response reduces the intensity of such 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 electrostatic precipitator Transformer Rectifier, or into a new, smaller and lighter specially designed, high frequency transformer rectifier. In most applications the existing transformer and rectifier system can easily accommodate a feed frequency of up to 1000 Hz without a detrimental effect. The series CLR in the primary of the TR however must be changed to a lower value to accommodate the higher frequency power feed.

Generally, a 400 Hz transformer is approximately half the size of a 60 Hz transformer. The 400 Hz Redkoh transformer-rectifier system is smaller than a 60 Hz unit, but the size reduction will not be nearly as much as can be realized by the 10 kHz + systems. The Redkoh systems however do not require active ventilation fans be 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-over voltage that the field can withstand. Sparking and arcing typically occur at the peak of the KV waveform. The KV ripple, as well the ratio of the peak voltage to the average voltage is reduced through the use of higher switching frequencies. A 400 Hz signal would tend to reduce the value of such ripple. Due to the steep nature of an ESP V-I curve, a relatively small increase in KV could result in a significant increase in current.

Faster spark response

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

Higher Collection Efficiency

Because the frequency of the DC voltage to the precipitator has been increased from 60 Hz to 400 Hz, the ripple 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 before flashover occurs. An increase in voltage should result in an increase in precipitator collection efficiency, and decrease in outlet emissions.

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 as quick 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 the precipitator. Short circuits created by arcs simply send current to ground and waste power. By reducing these arcs, power is conserved.

8. High Power Factor

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

9. Literature:

Switch Mode Power Supply FAQ

Transitioning from SCR to IGBT Controlled Power Supplies for ESP

RK3000 SMPS DEMO Information

Is There A Best Operating Frequency for SMPS

Using 50-60 Precipitator Transformer Rectifiers with Mid-Frequency Technology

Reliability Considerations using 50-60HZ Transformer Rectifiers at elevated frequncies