Parallel Rectifier for Regenerative Hydrogen Production Utilizing a Combination of Thyristor and PWM-based Topologies

Hydrogen as storage medium for fluctuating renewable energy generation requires high current, low voltage rectifiers for grid integration and feeding of the electrolyzer. One topology for an efficient and robust rectifier, capable of supporting the grid, is the combination of well-known thyristor based rectifiers with a PWM based active rectifier. The thyristor rectifier will be designed to deliver the main part of the output current. Hereby the aim is to use smallest possible passive components. The active rectifier has the purpose of correcting the input current waveform while automatically correcting the overall output current to the desired direct current. The Boundary conditions for the desired application are shown, as well as the implementation and the control considerations. The basic concept is then proved by simulation. For the basic topology, consisting of a six pulse thyristor rectifier and six-MOSFET full bridge experimental results are shown.

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