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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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-voltage (HV) pulse generators (PGs) are the core of pulsed electric field applications. Applying HV pulses produces electrical pores in a biological cell membrane, in which if the size of the pores increases beyond a critical size, the cell will not survive. This paper proposes a new HV-PG based on the modular multilevel converter with full-bridge submodules (FB-SMs). In order to alleviate the need of complicated sensorless or sensor-based voltage balancing techniques for the FB-SM capacitors, a dedicated self-regulating charging circuit is connected across each FB-SM capacitor. The individual capacitor charging voltage level is obtained from three successive stages, namely, convert the low-voltage dc input voltage to a high-frequency square ac voltage, increase the ac voltage level via a nanocrystalline step-up transformer, and rectify the secondary transformer ac voltage via a diode FB rectifier. The HV bipolar pulses are formed across the load in a fourth stage through series connected FB-SMs. The flexibility of inserting and bypassing the FB-SM capacitors allows the proposed topology to generate different pulse-waveform shapes, including rectangular waveforms with specifically reduced dv/dt and ramp pulses. The practical results, from a scaled-down experimental rig with five FB-SMs and a 1-kV peak-to-peak pulse output, validate the proposed topology. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Conventional Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) with Half-Bridge Sub-Modules (HB-SMs) can be used effectively as a solid-state high-voltage pulse generator to chop a high-voltage dc input into a bipolar pulsed output voltage without employing neither high-voltage semiconductor switches nor series-connected switches. Nonetheless, its boosting capability is constrained. In this paper, a hybrid boost MMC-based bipolar high-voltage pulse generator is proposed where each arm contains a combination of Full-Bridge SMs (FB-SMs) and HB-SMs. The HB-SMs and FB-SMs have the same rated voltage. The proposed approach is able to generate bipolar pulses, and operates with a wide range of boosting capability. Detailed illustration of the proposed configuration and its operational concept are presented. Simulation models for the proposed approach are built, for different FB-SMs to HB-SMs ratios, using Matlab/Simulink platform. Experimental results for a scaled-down prototype are presented to validate the concept. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The conventional unipolar Marx generator can be employed for bipolar pulsed electric field by adding a high-voltage H-bridge at the load side which necessitates stacked switches. Alternatively, bipolar Marx generator with low-voltage switches can be employed. The existing bipolar Marx generators are typically fed from dc supplies, where polarized capacitors are employed. The capacitance of involved capacitors is selected such that the total energy stored in the generator's capacitors is higher than the bipolar pulse energy. As a result, polarized capacitors with relatively high capacitances are required. In addition, a high number of controlled switches per stage are required (at least four switches per stage). In this paper, a new solid-state bipolar Marx pulse generator with only three controlled switches per stage is proposed. The proposed generator is fed from sinusoidal/square ac voltage and non-polarized capacitors with low capacitance are employed. The proposed bipolar Marx-generator can be used effectively with resistive loads for exponential pulse generation. A detailed illustration of the proposed approach is presented and a discussion, to elucidate the differences between the proposed pulse generator and the other existing ones, are presented. Simulation results for the proposed pulse generator are presented to validate the concept. Finally, experimental results have been obtained from a low-voltage model of the proposed generator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a new high-voltage pulse generator, which is based on positive and negative buck-boost (BB) converters fed from a relatively low voltage dc supply. The proposed generator is able to generate unipolar or bipolar high-voltage pulses via operating the BB converters with series or parallel connected outputs respectively using a common input dc source. The components of each converter are rated at half of the pulsed voltage magnitude in the unipolar mode. The converters in the proposed pulse generator operate in discontinuous conduction mode. This enhances system efficiency, as the circuit only operates when it is desired to generate a pulsed output voltage, otherwise the circuit is switched to idle mode with zero current. Detailed illustration of the proposed approach is presented along with a full design of the system components for given output pulse specifications. Finally, simulation and experimental results are presented to validate the proposed concept. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Pulsed electric field is a commonly used and effective disinfection method in drinking water treatment applications. In this paper, a transformerless unipolar/bipolar high-voltage pulse generator is presented with well-regulated pulsed output voltage for drinking water treatment via underwater pulsed corona discharge. The proposed high-voltage pulse generator is fed from a relatively low-voltage dc supply. Then, capacitor–diode voltage multiplier centrally fed from a dc–dc boost converter is used to elevate the input voltage to a proper high-voltage level. Finally, a modular multilevel converter is employed to chop the elevated voltage into unipolar or bipolar pulsed output voltage (based on the user selection). The suggested arrangement provides a high-voltage gain with relatively low-voltage components, i.e., neither high-voltage nor series-connected components are needed in the proposed approach. A comparison between the proposed approach and the other Marx-Based pulse generators has been held to show the merits of the proposed approach. A detailed design of the generator passive components and semiconductor devices has been presented. Simulation and experimental results are presented for the unipolar as well as the bipolar pulsed output to validate the proposed concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bipolar repetitive high-voltage pulse generators are commonly used in modern pulsed power applications. Conventionally, bipolar high-voltage pulses can be generated by adding a high-voltage H-bridge at the output stage of a unipolar high-voltage pulse generator which increases complexity and cost of the bipolar high-voltage pulse generator. In this paper, a boost-inverter-based bipolar high-voltage pulse generator with high-voltage gain is proposed. The proposed generator can provide high-voltage bipolar output pulses with the desired specifications from a low input dc voltage. The proposed generator is based on employing two bidirectional boost dc–dc converters, where the load is connected differentially between the boost converters’ output terminals. In the proposed approach, four controlled switches are required. Only two out of these four switches are rated at the high-voltage output level which affects positively the system cost. A detailed illustration of the proposed approach along with the design of its passive components is presented in this study. Simulation and experimental results are used to validate the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Repetitive high pulsed electric field (PEF) is an effective method to kill microorganisms and bacteria in water treatment applications. The PEF can be generated by applying high-power electromagnetic pulse across the sample to be treated. There are two main types of high-voltage pulse generators, namely, unipolar and bipolar. In this paper, a full-bridge submodule-based modular high-voltage pulse generator, having the ability to generate unipolar and bipolar high-voltage pulses with different shapes from a relatively low-voltage input dc supply, is proposed. In the proposed configuration, relatively low-voltage insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) are required to generate the high-voltage bipolar pulses. A thyristor rated at the level of the pulsed output voltage is required in the proposed configuration to bypass the load during the charging process of capacitors. In the proposed approach, a thyristor is used instead of the self-commutated high-voltage switch (e.g., series-connected IGBTs), as thyristors are available with high-voltage ratings and possess inherent reverse voltage blocking capability. A detailed illustration of the proposed configuration and its operational concept are introduced in this paper. Simulation and experimental results are presented to validate the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of irreversible electroporation using pulsed electric field 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 bridge modular multilevel converter cells. The rectangular pulse characteristics can be controlled via the software controller without any physical changes in power topology. The converter is capable of generating both bipolar and monopolar HV pulses with microsecond pulse durations at high a 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-Voltage pulse generators are commonly used in biotechnology, medicine, industrial applications, food processing and drinking water purification. The dc-dc boost converter has been used before in pulsed applications for its ability to amplify a relatively low input dc voltage to a high-voltage output. A high-voltage solid-state chopping switch is then used to chop the generated high output voltage. In this work, a boost-converter based ringing circuit with high voltage gain is proposed for water treatment applications. The basic concept of the proposed approach depends on operating the boost converter under discontinuous current conduction. With the proposed approach, the chopping high-voltage switch at the output stage is eliminated, which positively affects the system cost and efficiency. A full-design of the circuit and passive components is presented to ensure that the desired pulse specifications are achieved. The proposed approach has been validated using simulation and experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to generate bipolar high-voltage (HV) pulses across certain load from HV dc (HVdc) power supply, a voltage source inverter (VSI) stage should be inserted between the load and the supply. In order to meet the required HV level, series connection of semiconductor devices should be employed with dynamic voltage sharing between the involved devices. Modular multilevel converter (MMC) can be used instead of the conventional two-level VSI to alleviate the complexity introduced by the deployment of series-connected devices. The voltage level of the HVdc power supply and the voltage rating of the available semiconductor devices determine the suitable number of MMC voltage levels ( $N$ ). Capacitor voltage balancing is a vital issue for proper operation of the MMC. In general, conventional sensor-based balancing techniques require a significant amount of measurements, which increases the complexity of the system. In addition, the high dv/dt during switching times causes electromagnetic interference, which may adversely affect the accuracy of the measurements. In this paper, a sensorless voltage balancing technique is proposed for the MMC-based bipolar HV pulse generator that reduces the system sensitivity, cost, and complexity. A detailed illustration of the proposed approach is presented in this paper. The simulation and experimental results are used to validate the proposed concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulsed electric field (PEF) can be used effectively in water treatment applications by passing infected water through two electrodes excited from a high voltage pulsed power supply which guarantees killing the harmful germs. In this paper, a new high-voltage pulse-generator with closed loop control of its output voltage is presented for treating water via underwater pulsed streamer corona discharge. The proposed generator is fed from a low AC voltage source (utility mains 220 V, 50 Hz) which makes it suitable for domestic applications. The proposed topology provides transformer-less operation which reduces the system size and enhances the overall efficiency. The proposed topology is based on capacitor-diode voltage multiplier (CDVM) circuits in conjunction with DC-DC converters (Boost and Buck-Boost converters). The simulation and experimental results elucidate the proposed configuration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]