Multi-module high voltage pulse generator based on DC-DC boost converter and CDVMs for drinking water purification

High pulsed electric field (PEF) can be used effectively in drinking water purification, by applying it across the water sample to be treated. Application of sufficient high PEF guarantees killing of harmful germs and bacteria in the drinking water. In this paper, a new multi-module high voltage pulse generator is proposed. Each module is based on DC-DC boost converter in conjunction with capacitor-diode voltage multiplier (CDVM), with closed loop control on its output voltage. The modules are fed from isolated low voltage DC sources, and their synchronized pulsed output voltages are connected in series to increase the total pulsed output voltage. The main advantages of the proposed approach are modularity, scalability, redundancy, and employment of relatively low/medium voltage semiconductor devices to generate a high output voltage (i.e. no need for series connected switches). The proposed approach is validated by simulation study assuming different operating conditions.