Power kVA Research Articles

Comparative Evaluation of Common-Ground Converters for Dual-Purpose Application

The focus of this paper is to provide a comparative analysis of various common-ground converters that serve as dual-purpose power electronic interfaces. These interfaces are designed to be used in both DC and single-phase AC grids, utilizing the same terminals for both modes of operation. The idea lies in the utilization of the same semiconductors in the DC-DC and DC-AC configurations, resulting in minimal redundancy. Particular attention is focused on the comparative evaluation approach. A novel Flying Inductor (FI)-based converter was selected for experimental verification. The design example and experimental prototype of a dual-purpose DC-DC/AC power electronic converter is capable of providing 2 kVA of power in AC mode and 4 kW in DC mode. The experimental results indicate that the converter can operate in both AC and DC grids according to their respective modes. The conclusion of the study highlights the potential applications and main benefits of this technology.

Study of power transformer loading in rural power supply systems

The purpose of this study is to study the effect of loading power transformers (PT) in their continuous use on their energy efficiency on a real-life example of existing rural electric networks. It is noted that the vast majority of PT in rural areas have a very low load factor, which leads to an increase in specific losses of electric energy when this is transmitted to various consumers. It is planned to optimize the existing synchronized power supply systems in rural areas by creating new power supply projects in such a way as to integrate existing power sources and ensure the most efficient loading of power transformers for the subsequent transfer of these systems to isolated ones that receive power from distributed generation facilities. As an example, we use data from an electric grid company on loading power transformers in one of the districts of the Irkutsk region. Issues related to the determination of electric energy losses in rural PT at different numerical values of their load factors are considered. A computing device was developed using modern programming tools in the MATLAB system, which has been used to calculate and plot the dependence of power losses in transformers of various capacities on the actual and recommended load factors, as well as the dependence of specific losses during the transit of 1 kVA of power through a power transformer at the actual, recommended and optimal load factors. The analysis of specific losses of electric energy at the actual, recommended and optimal load factors of PT is made. Based on the analysis, the intervals of optimal load factors for different rated power of PT of rural distribution electric networks are proposed. It is noted that to increase the energy efficiency of PT, it is necessary to reduce idling losses by increasing the load of these transformers, which can be achieved by reducing the number of transformers while changing the configuration of 0.38 kV distribution networks.

Carbon Nanofoam by Pulsed Electric Arc Discharges

The aim of this article was to report the carbon nanofoam synthesis by a new method and a new catalytic mixture. Using the pulsed electric arc discharge method, carbon nanofoam was synthesized. The synthesis was carried out in a controlled atmosphere at 200 torr of hydrogen pressure. The pulsed electric arc discharge was established between two graphite electrodes with 22.8 kVA of power and 150 A DC current; the cathode was relatively motionless and was made of a pure carbon rod of 6 mm diameter, and the spinner anode was a pure carbon disc spinning at 600 rpm; over the disc was an annular cavity where the new catalytic mixture of 93.84/2.56/1.43/0.69/1.48 of C/Ni/Fe/Co/S molar fraction was deposited in a geometrically fixed way by 8 catalytic mixture blocks and 8 empty spaces, and the discharge frequency was 80 Hz. After the synthesis was made, the resulting products were deposited on the electrodes, proving that our method can synthesize different carbon nanostructures easily and at low cost.