Analysis and Design of a High Step-Up Boost Converter Applied to Fuel Cell

Abstract

This work uses a mathematical design methodology that combines high efficiency and reduced volume, by searching for the best solution among a pool of possible component associations. This methodology, already consolidated, is applied by an algorithm that scans for different operating points: switching frequency, inductor current ripple and wire current density. The algorithm evaluates high power and high gain Boost converter that interfaces a Fuel Cell (3kW and 50$\mathrm{V} _{DC}$) to a DC bus (400$\mathrm{V} _{DC}$). Due to its high step-up voltage, this converter is unusual for this type of application. However, with the developed analysis tool, an optimized Boost converter is possible, minimizing losses and increasing efficiency, enableling the use of this converter topology in a high power high step-up application. Results present losses on each component and the overall efficiency of the converter. Component parallelism was used in order to reduce equivalent resistances. At the end, a high step-up and high power Boost converter is designed using the developed tool, at which losses for each component were minimized by reducing the series resistance of each element; the static gain of the converter is shown, demonstrating the usefulness of the Boost converter for high step-up and high power applications.