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Portable field hospital fed from solar system depends on interleaved

boost converter (IBC)
To cite this article: Carlo Y. Makdisi et al 2020 IOP Conf. Ser.: Mater. Sci. Eng. 765 012014

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ICEMEA-2020 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 765 (2020) 012014 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/765/1/012014

Portable field hospital fed from solar system depends on

interleaved boost converter (IBC)
Carlo Y. Makdisi (a) , Marah F. Mariam (b) , Jaafar T. Maarouf (c)
(a): Electrical Power Engineering Department, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
Faculty, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria. makdisiecarlo@yahoo.com
(b): Electrical Power Engineering Department, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering,
Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria. marah.blackrose@gmail.com
(c):Electrical Power Engineering Department, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Tishreen
University, Lattakia, Syria. Jaafar.maarouf@gmail.com

Abstract. In this paper we will suggest equipment for a portable field hospital that is electrically
fed by solar panels. The solar panel is connected to the removable (Portable) field hospital via
an interface, which is an Interleaved Boost Converter (IBC). The analytical study is carried out
for the traditional Boost Converter(BC) and the Interleaved Boost Converter (IBC) using
Matlab/Simulink To ensure the electric supply of the portable field hospital with suitable voltage
values. The paper will explain what might happen if we doubled or tripled the main elements of
the conventional boost converter. The expected results will reflect the implementation
importance of the interleaved converter (IBC) in comparison with conventional converter. We
will also compare the different types of interleaved converter (IBC), so that we get the best
interior connection of the IBC, which achieves the suitable distribution of the total current
between the coils, as well as the best size – weight specifications. The selected IBC will contain
less ripple in the output voltage waveform , where we provide the potable field hospital feed
without disturbances or breakdowns , which cause the IBC to be out of serves or fault occurring
to any part of it.

Keywords: BC chopper, Interleaved Boost Converter (IBC), Portable Field Hospital (PFH),
Hybrid Uninterruptible Power Supplies (HUPS), Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

1. Introduction:
The operating method of the conventional DC chopper and its internal construction was explained in
[1],[2], the applications of the interleaved boost converters in PV systems and switched mode power
supply are illustrated in [3]. In reference [5] the comparison of interleaved converter for battery charging
of PHEV in production plants are studied, and from reference [6] how the magnetic coupling between
two inductances in the converter, then we started with the design and simulation of 2-ph interleaved
boost converters via MATLAB/Simulink in references [4],[8],[9] and from these references we
concluded that the higher number of phases leads to better performance and output parameters, whereas
the effect of magnetic coupling in three phase converters is established in reference [10], however the
floating output in these converters with les THD% values which doesn’t exceed 5% is configured in
reference [11], and from reference [12] we understood the equations configuring these converters and
its operation methods.
In this paper, portable hospital is suggested which is fed from interleaved boost converter connected
to solar system. The aim of the suggested system is to provide the devices and equipment of the portable
field hospital by AC and DC required electrical power to prevent the interruption of electrical feeding.
The essence of this paper focuses on suitable IBC, therefore the different types of IBC are discussed in
this paper.

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ICEMEA-2020 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 765 (2020) 012014 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/765/1/012014

2. Conventional boost converter:

This study describes interleaved boost converters, within multiple cases. first to understand the
conventional converter we must understand the DC choppers, DC choppers are semiconductor
switching devices which convert the fixed DC voltage into controlled DC voltage, it is used to control
the power of traction and propulsion like in electrical vehicles and subway metro, transportations in
mines and hybrid uninterruptible power supplies (HUPS).
This type of choppers are allowed to obtain an output voltage higher than the input voltage
value, 𝐕𝐨 > 𝐕𝐬 . We always have in this type of choppers induction coil (L) at the input of the chopper
circuit, as shown in figure (1).
2.1. Operation principle:
Within the switch-on period 𝟎 < 𝒕 < 𝒕𝟏 , the current of the induction coil increases to the maximum
value at the end of this period, and during this period the coil will store electromagnetic power.
At the moment 𝐭 = 𝐭 𝟏 = 𝐭 𝒐𝒏 , the switch (MOSFET) is turned off for a period of time 𝐭 𝟐 = 𝐭 𝒐𝒇𝒇 , the
stored energy in the coil (L) will be discharged , and the current starts to decrease passing through the
diode D1 and the Load. [4],[12].
L
D

IS Io

load
IQ
Q Vo

VS

(a) (b)
Fig (1): a) the conventional chopper circuit diagram.
b) the output waves of the conventional chopper.
During the switch-on period the voltage value on the coil is expressed by the following equation:
di
𝑈𝐿 = L … … … (1)
dt
And the current varies between two values I2 &I1 :
V𝑠
∆I = I2 − I1 = 𝑡1 … … … (2)
L
Through the switch-on period of SW, the load circuit is shorted , and 𝑉𝑠 = 𝑈𝐿 .
During the period t 2 ,the instant load voltage is given as following:

L. ∆I V𝑠 t1
V𝑜 = V𝑠 + = V𝑠 + L. t1 = V𝑠 (1 + ) … … … (3)
t2 L. t 2 t2

1
V𝑜 = V𝑠 . … … … (4)
1−𝑘
Where:
t t1
k = t1 1t = T
⇒ t1 = k. T, t 2 = T − t1 = T − k. T = T(1 − k)
+ 2

When a capacitive filter is connected to the load, we can presume that the output voltage is constant
and V𝑜 = V𝑎 .
From the equation (4) we can observe that the load voltage is configured by the duty cycle (k), where
the voltage increases with the increase of (k=D [duty cycle]), however when 𝑘 = 0 the voltage will be
minimum and V𝑜 = V𝑠 .
From equation (4), the output voltage is changing by varying of (k=D) value.

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ICEMEA-2020 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 765 (2020) 012014 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/765/1/012014

2.2. Simulation of conventional interleaved boost converters using Matlab/Simulink:

Table (1) parameters for BC

Input voltage 12 [𝑉]
L (Inductive) 76.8 × 10−6 [𝐻]
Switching 1 1
frequency [ ]
100000 𝐻𝑧
Duty Cycle 82%

Fig (2) the simulation diagram of BC

Fig (3) the output voltage of BC Fig (4) : - pink color the inductor (coil) current
- yellow color the inductor (coil) voltage

3. Double Boost Converters:

In this case we doubled the number of coils, diodes and MOSFETs(chopper), however we
decreased the values of the coils to half, to observe the advantages of this change by simulating the
circuit using MATLAB\ Simulink.

Table (2) parameters for 2-ph IBC.

Input voltage 12 [𝑉]
L (Inductive) 38.4 × 10−6 [𝐻]
Switching 1 1
frequency [ ]
100000 𝐻𝑧
Duty Cycle 82%

Fig (5) the simulation diagram of 2-ph IBC

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ICEMEA-2020 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 765 (2020) 012014 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/765/1/012014

Fig (6) the output voltage of 2-ph IBC Fig (7) : - pink color the inductor (coil) current
- yellow color the inductor (coil) voltage
As we can observe the change was obvious, the output voltage value increased almost up to
25% more than the conventional boost converter.
We must keep in mind that the switching frequency has to be high so the voltage ripple can be as low
as possible, in our case we chose switching frequency of 100 kHz, as the switching chopper is a
MOSFET, it can hold up to 1 MHz, but unfortunately the MOSFET with these mentioned parameters
is commercially unavailable.

3.1. Voltage ripple comparison :

In case of double boost interleaved converter if we changed the switching frequency of the MOSFET
we would decrease the voltage ripple:[5],[6],[7]

Fig (8) the simulation of the comparison

Table (3) comparison parameters

Switching 25 [𝑘𝐻𝑧] 100 [𝑘𝐻𝑧] 1 [𝑀𝐻𝑧]

Frequency
𝑉𝑖𝑛 12 12 12
𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 50.46 50.1 49.99
THD % 3.939 3.933 3.932

Fig (9) reducing ripple in the output

voltage versus to higher switching frequency

3.2. The effect of the duty cycle:

If the switching frequency is maintained at a constant value of 100 kHz and the duty cycle D is
varied of 67, 75 and 82 % we get how the average value of the voltage increases with the increasing of
D in limited range up to 82% :[2],[9]

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ICEMEA-2020 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 765 (2020) 012014 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/765/1/012014

Table (4) comparison parameters

Duty cycle % 82 75 67
𝑉𝑖𝑛 12 12 12
𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 50.1 49.44 48.76
THD % 3.933 4.076 4.224

Fig (10) the output voltage versus to duty cycle values.

a. Black line: 82%

b. Pink line: 75%
c. Blue line: 67%

4. 3-ph IBC:

Fig (11) the simulation diagram for 3-ph IBC.

Fig (12) the output voltage of 3-ph IBC

So if we compared between the conventional boost converter and the double converter and the 3ph
converter, with the same switching frequency of 100 kHz, and the same duty cycle of 82% [1], we
would notice the increase of the average voltage value:

Fig (13) comparison between BC and 2-ph & 3-ph IBC

5. Study case:

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ICEMEA-2020 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 765 (2020) 012014 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/765/1/012014

After the analysing of the IBC operation of different topologies, we have to apply the previous study
on the portable field hospital supplied via solar panel.
The box diagram of our study case is illustrated below:

Fig (14) flow chart of the study case.

The general overview of the portable field hospital contains all devices and equipments is shown
below, which is designed by DIALux

(a) (b)
fig (15) shows: (a) the general overview of portable field hospital
(b) the designed practical structure of the portable field hospital.

(a) (b)

Fig (16): (a) actual portable field hospital in real location.

(b) plan view of the portable field hospital.

Fig (17): (a) plan view of the operating room.

(b) plan view of the intensive care unit (ICU).

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ICEMEA-2020 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 765 (2020) 012014 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/765/1/012014

The portable field hospital contains various loads (AC & DC), therefore we have to provide these
loads by a suitable feeding. DC loads can be resourced directly from the output of IBC, while the AC
loads must be supplied via inverter, and the output voltage of the inverter will be applied to the various
AC loads, such as: operating room; ICU; and radiology room, as shown in figure (18).
The presence of inverter requires to make a simulation of this inverter to insure the waveform
required by the mentioned previously AC loads.[3],[10],[11].

5.1. The simulation process of the portable field hospital using MATLAB \ Simulink:
The simulation for the diagram shown in figure (14) using MATLAB \ Simulink:

Fig (18) simulation of the portable field hospital. Fig (19) output voltage waveform of the inverter.
From figure (20) the suggested system consists of many components:
- Solar panels.
- Charger unit.
- Set of batteries.
- IBC (boost converter).
- Inverter.

6. Result discussion:
 The study had been carried out by using conventional boost converter and various topologies of
IBC.
 From dedicated previous figures (2) and (5) the comparison shows that from double IBC , we
can obtain higher voltage value, and less distortion (THD% = 3.933%).
 The total current in IBC is divided equally between the coils, therefore the power dissipation
will be less than conventional BC.
 Figure (8) and (9) shows the reflection of increasing the duty cycle (D%) and varying the
switching frequency on the total harmonic distortion (THD), since the output voltage will
contain less harmonics with the increasing of D% and switching frequency.
 The simulation of the portable field hospital had been done by using MATLAB \ Simulink to
provide to all loads to avoid the interruption of the electrical supply from any part of this
hospital.

7. Recommendations and conclusions:

 The higher number of phases of IBC will lead to enhancing the output voltage of boost
converter. But we have to consider the increasing of volume – weight of the converter cascade.
 There is no doubt, that increasing the number of phases of the boost converter in these systems
will certainly improve the specifications and values of output voltage suitable for feeding
different loads. In order to feed some of the proposed AC field facilities, it is necessary to
introduce an appropriate inverter to convert the DC voltage into an appropriate AC voltage for
these loads.
 The increasing of the IBC links (number of phases) leads to complexity of control circuit of the
used switches related to their high number, therefore the future suggestion is to reduce the
number of these switches and simplify the control circuit of the used switches.

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ICEMEA-2020 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 765 (2020) 012014 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/765/1/012014

 MPPT Algorithm can be discussed to obtain maximum efficiency from solar system in the
future, might be a good recommendation to meet the reliable expectations.

8. References
[1] Steady-state Characterization of Multi-phase, Interleaved Dc-Dc converters for Photovoltaic
Applications. Sairaj V. Dhople, Ali Davoudi and Patrick L. Chapman – 2009.
[2] Power Electronics Handbook 3rd ed. M. Rashid (B-H, 2011).
[3] High Voltage Gain Interleaved DC Boost Converter Application for Photovoltaic Generation
System. Weerachat Khadmun, Wanchai Subsingha – 2012.
[4] Simple And Efficient Implementation Of Two-Phase Interleaved Boost Converter For Renewable
Energy Source. Mounica Ganta, Pallam reddy Nirupa, Thimmadi Akshitha, Dr.R.Seyezhai –
2012.
[5] Comparison of Interleaved Boost Converter Topologies with Voltage Multiplier for Battery
Charging Of PHEV. R. Seyezhai, V. Aarthi – 2014.
[6] Analysis of non-isolated two phase interleaved high voltage gain boost converter for PV
application. A. Ramesh Babu, T.A.Raghavendiran – 2014.
[7] Basic Design and Review of Two Phase and Three Phase Interleaved Boost Converter for
Renewable Energy Systems. Chitra.P, Seyezhai.R – 2014.
[8] Simulation of Incremental Conductance MPPT based Two phase Interleaved Boost Converter
using MATLAB/Simulink. Sheik Mohammed, D. Devaraj – 2015.
[9] Modeling and simulation of choppers switching via MATLAB/SIMULINK. Ehsan Hosseini
2015.
[10] Review of Coupled Two and Three Phase Interleaved Boost Converter (IBC) and Investigation
of Four Phase IBC for Renewable Application. P.Abishri, Umashankar S, Sudha Ramasamy
– 2016.
[11] A floating-output interleaved boost DC–DC converter with high step-up gain. Ardavan Kianpour,
Ghazanfar Shahgholian – 2017.
[12] Power electronics /1/ Carlo J. Makdisie – Tishreen university publication – 2017A reference
This reference has two entries but the second one is not numbered (it uses the ‘Reference (no
number)’ style.