An Algorithm to Design Harmonic Filters Based on Power
Factor Correction for HVDC Systems
M.Joorabian S.GH.Seysossadat
Shahid Chamran University of Ahwaz
Abstract- This paper presents a study of
passive harmonic filters design to minimize
harmonic distortion caused by harmonic
sources and compensate power factor in
electrical systems. The design and
performance of two important types of shunt
harmonic filters based on power factor
correction (PFC) and methodology used for
analysis will be discussed and an algorithm is
presented for each. The major objectives in
this study are i) to reduce current and voltage
distortion, ii) to improve the power factor,
and iii) to reduce resonance problem at
system. The proposed method is used for
harmonic suppression in AC side of a sample
six-pulse HVDC converter. The system has
been simulated with MATLAB and simulation
results clearly show the proper operation of
designed filters.
Keywords: Passive filter, harmonics, power
factor correction, HVDC converters
1. INTRODUCTION
Nonlinear loads are the main sources of
harmonic currents that flow through the plant
and utility power system. These harmonic
currents cause voltage distortion and power
losses in the system and interact with power
factor correction capacitor banks leading to
equipment failures. It is essential to limit
harmonic content in waveforms to the maximum
allowable level, which is determined by IEEE
standard [1].
The harmonic filtering is one of the
conventional solutions to prevent the
troublesome harmonics from entering rest of the
system. There are two types of filters: i) passive
filter, where the filter components are passive
elements such as resistor, inductor, and
capacitor, and ii) active filter, where the filter has
a controlled current or voltage source [2].
Passive shunt filters are traditional method of
harmonic filtering. Different alternatives of filter
1-4244-0726-5/06/$20.OO '2006 IEEE
Authorized licensed use limited to: UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO PARA. Downloaded on June 16,2021 at 23:12:14 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
M.A.Zamani
design have been considered before making the
final decision on filter configuration. Some of the
criteria that is used for performance evaluation
are losses, current and voltage ratings of each
filter, and system contingency conditions [3,7].
In reference [5], the application of the Z-bus
method and the economic aspect for harmonic
filter design has been presented. Reference [6]
introduced three NLP mathematical formulations
for designing a group of single tuned filters for
both harmonic current and voltage reduction and
power factor correction. Reference [7]
formulated the design harmonic filter problem
tacking by considering investment cost and
operational constraints. This formulation is a
combinative optimization problem with a non-
differential objective function and a solution
methodology based on an optimization
technique-simulated annealing is used to
determine the parameters of filters.
Reference [3] suggested a simple method for
designing harmonic filters and it has been used in
order to improve power quality and to correct
power factor in a cement factory.
Proposed algorithm in this study, improves
power quality and power factor of the system.
Furthermore, design consideration such as
allowable harmonic voltage, less power losses,
and resonance problem reduction has been
attended in this algorithm.
2. HVDC EQUATIONS
Basically, an HVDC system consists of two
converter stations connected by a DC overhead
line or an underground (or submarine) cable.
During the operation of converters (rectifiers or
inverters), harmonic voltages and currents will
result on both DC and AC side respectively,
where a converter of a pulse number P generates
harmonic currents (voltages) of order
Pk ± 1 (Pk) , k =1,2,3.
The harmonics on the AC side of a 6-pulse
converter will be of the orders:
n=5,7,1 1,13,17.These harmonics are called
2978
 characteristic harmonics. Of course, the non- fundamental frequency. In the frequencies less
ideal conditions cause generation of another than tuning frequency, filter has a capacitive
harmonics with different orders, which are called characteristic and generates reactive power.
non-characteristic harmonics. Therefore, a filter supplied a part of reactive
Fortunately, the amplitudes of generated power requirement of the converter and it is
harmonics decrease with increasing harmonic another principal application of the filter after
order. It can be shown that the amplitude of an harmonic reduction.
AC harmonic current of order n, i.e In is less The quality of a filter (Q) expresses the
than 11/n , where I is the amplitude of the sharpness of filter tuning and is selected based on
fundamental current.
current. The exact rms valueofIn
optimal operation of the filter on its frequency
fundamenta The
value of In
exact
band. High quality factor reduces harmonic
with considering overlap is[4]: voltage and power losses and causes better
F harmonic suppression, but increases the
nD (1) resonance problem between filter and system.
Where Two aforementioned factors are controllable
D cos(a) - cos(u) (2) and are not selected independently. There are
two other factors in design process, which are
F- sin[(n - 1)u / 2)2 + (sin[(n +1)u/2])2 not controllable by designer. These factors are
n -1 n +1 network impedance and frequency deviation of
2(sin[(n l)u / 2].sin[(n + 1)u / 2] 2 1/2 the system. In designing, these two parameters
)cost2a u)}
-

are assumed to be in worst condition; id est, the

+
2 -1
(3) maximum frequency deviation (,mn), and the
The above equations are valid only for maximum phase angle (q,m) are used in filter
characteristic orders n and overlap not exceeding design [2,4].
600. In the region bounded by
600 < u < 1200 , a > 300 and u + a < 150°, 4. HARMONIC VOLTAGE
Eqs.(1) to (3) apply if a is replaced by a' and The generated harmonics by an HVDC
converter is divided among filter and network.
Uby where,
u'
Fig. 1 shows an equivalent circuit for
a' =a -30 , u't = u+60 (4) computation harmonic voltages on the AC side
With loss neglected (Pd, = P,,) the amplitude of a converter, where In, Isn , and Ifn are
of I, in eq. (1) is equal to: harmonic currents of order n for converter,

V
I =
Pdc Vdl(-VId
= (5)
network, and filter respectively. Assume that
Zsn and Zfn are the network and filter
Where, Pdc is the active DC power (MW), Vd impedances, thus the n'th harmonic voltage is
and Id are the average voltage (kV) and DC equal to [2,6]:
current (kA) respectively, and VL and cos qo are Vn f jIn -= (8)
the line-to-line voltage (kV) and power factor of Zfn + Zsn sfn
+n
the system. Eq. (8) shows that the network harmonic
The demand reactive power of an HVDC voltage is not controllable by designer because it
converter is often expressed in terms of the depends on network impedance. Optimal quality
active power i.e: factor of a resonant filter for minimum harmonic
Q=Pdc . tan y (6) voltage in the foregoing worst condition is [4]:
-opt ~~~~~~~~~~~~~1
cos($Sm )
+
2c,sin(0,)
C Q
Where, q, is the phase difference between the (9)
fundamental frequency voltage and current
components and tanll is:
.. ..inimu
giving the minimum harmonic voltage as:
(9)

tan =sin(2a 2u) sin(2a) 2u

± - -

tan q' cos(2a) - cos(2a ± 2u)

(7) Vn(min) = + fO(r)
oI XO (10)
Where L and C are the values of filter inductor
By using Egs. (5) and (6), the reactive power an 'aaiac,adI i itrhroi
which is required for power factor correction adcpctnead fn 1 1trhrO1
(desire power factor) can be calculated. current of order n which is calculated by eq. (1).
In this study, with considering allowable
3. FILTER DESIGN FACTORS harmonic voltage, line voltage of the AC
Two basic concepts in filter design are the filter network, and the demand reactive power, the
size and its quality. The size of a filter is defined parameters of filters are determined to reduce
as the reactive power that the filter supplied at harmonics and to improve power factor.

2979

Authorized licensed use limited to: UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO PARA. Downloaded on June 16,2021 at 23:12:14 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
 V62 limits to standard value, the filter parameters are
acceptable. Otherwise, the values of L and C
.Tr
7 F g il g must be corrected by increasing the filter size (or
capacitance value) lightly and the algorithm is
z A6 repeated (Appendix B).
6. HIGH PASS FILTER (HPF)
Fig.2 shows typical circuit diagram and
characteristic of the second
th order high pass filter,
Fig. 1: Circuit for computation of harmonic voltages whicheis or conventional other
an other types.
te
on theAC
sid of coverterwhich iS more than types. The
designing of high pass filter is similar to single
SINGLE
5. SINGLE TUNED FILTER (SIF (STF) tuned
factorsone.
of There
these two filtera difference
is only types. Thein quality
quality
STF is a series RLC circuit tuned to the factor of a hsh pass filter iS defined as the
frequency of one harmonic (generally a low g p
characteristic harmonic). A LC circuit resonates reciprocal of the Q previously defined for the
resonant Rfilter, i.e:
at particular frequency that is given by: Q (2
fr (1 1) XO
The filter circuit offers low impedance to 1
harmonic of fr and high impedance to other
harmonics. The fundamental and harmonic
reactive power in the filter component can be _ O.0 \
obtained by applying the following equation: a

Qf=CwfVL (1- 2) (12) ll

Where, COf is the fundamental angular Per |
pri UUnit FFialuenIiy
frequency (rad/sec), C is the capacitance (F), VL Fig.2: The Characteristic of the high pass filter
is the line fundamental voltage at the bus where
the filter is located, and n is the order of tuning When you design such damping filters, the Q is
harmonic frequency. With considering eq. (12) chosen to obtain the best characteristic over the
and for given demand reactive power (Qf ), is required frequency band, and there is no optimal
Q as with tuned filter. Typical values of Q are
calculated by: between 0.5 and 5 [4]. Other factors to be
C 2
2
Qf 2
-
(13)
considered in the choice of Q include [3]:
i) The frequency to which the filter is tuned
ii) Losses
In the determination of tuning frequency of the iii) Harmonic voltage
filter, the maximum frequency deviation and The n'th harmonic voltage of the high pass filter
characteristic of the system (inductive or is calculated by:
capacitive) must be considered. Since the power
systems are predominantly inductive, the tuning
V=
n
J-lIn
l
(26)
(2)
frequency is selected less than harmonic Where, Inf is harmonic current of order n (eq.
frequency and therefore, the filter has inductive 1), and Zn is the filter impedance for n'th
characteristic in the harmonic frequency (similar harmonic that is iven b
to power system) and consequently, the g
R(Ln) J( R Lwcon
2
resonance problem does not occur [2,3,6]. z _ 1 27
fr = fn+±Af = fn +8mfn (14) R2 +(L )2n) R2 +(Lw )2 t) (2)
Where, Jr and fn are the tuning and harmonic Ultimately, it is important to select every filter
frequencies respectively. The inductance value element with considering current rating of that
(L) is obtained by eq. (11). The optimum R also f1lter. The current of every f1lter branch can be
will be calculated by applying Qot i.e: also obtained by eq. (1).
X 1
QoptQop @ vC 1)7. SELECTION OF FILTER TYPE
Most of the waveforms have a large percentage
of distortion at the lower harmonics. Therefore,
Whre
°0i
h eoatratneo h itr
Finally, the filter parameters are checked by
single tuned filters are designed to eliminate
these harmonics. Since the magnitude of
calculation of harmonic voltage by eq. (10). If it harmonic current decreases as the harmonic

2980

Authorized licensed use limited to: UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO PARA. Downloaded on June 16,2021 at 23:12:14 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
 order increases, a damped or high pass filter is spectrum of the network voltage is exhibited in
recommended to screen out a broad range of fig. 5.
higher order harmonics. Fundamental (50Hz) = 993.4A THD= 21.15%
20
To mitigate the AC harmonics of the HVDC
converter, an AC filter circuit will be used,
mostly located at the network side of the A5
transformer. Typically, the AC filter will include
four tuned branches for the 5, 7, 11, and 13'th °
harmonics, in addition to a high pass branch for 8
suppressing the high order harmonics [8].
7.SIMULATION RESULTS o0 5 ' 20 25
In this study, a 6-pulse HVDC converter with Harmonic order
Y/A transformer connection has been simulated Fig.5: Spectral diagram voltage without filters of AC

by MATLAB. Table 1 shows the simulated Now, we try to eliminate harmonics by

system specifications. The power is transmitted applying filters. Assume that every filter branch
through a 250kV, IkA DC line. With considering is going to supply 12Mvar reactive power
the equations of section 2, the demand reactive (60Mvar totally) and rest of the demand power is
power of the converter is equal to 72.3Mvar. If provided by compensators. The filters are
the requisite power is supplied perfectly by designed using the above algorithms and the
compensators and no filter is installed, The AC filter parameters are presented in table 2.
current waveform will be as fig.3 It is observed
that, the current waveform is non-sinusoidal and Table 2: The values of designed filters
has so many harmonics. fig.4 shows the values of C (tf) L (mH) R (Q) Q
these harmonic currents in percentage of the C5= 2.2 L5= 186.5 R5 =2.7 107.2
fundamental current.
C7=2.2 L7 =95.34 R7=1.94 107.2
Table 1: Simulated system specification C1l = 2.2 L11 = 38.34 R11 = 1.23 107.2
Line Voltage of AC network (kv) 132 C13 = 2.2 L13 = 27.47 R13 = 1.04 107.2
Frequency (Hz) 50 CH = 2.2 LH = 14.26 RH =234 2.9
Commutation reactance (pu) 0.12
Control angle a (deg) ______ After the installation of the filters, current and
Maximum freq. Deviation (8m) 0.01 voltage waveforms will be sinusoidal so much
and plenty of harmonics are suppressed. The
1000 -----------,---- -.--------- results have been shown in figs. 6 to 8.
5 _ _--- 2000
500 .-

- - *--
-0 - -
r - - - - - - -
- - - - - - -
T- _0 -- L - - - - - - - -m --- ---- ----
-----

-500 - A - 4 ~ 0 E'°;~~~p~~t \r
- -- --

0.6OOt 0.61
0.Ei 0.Ei1
0.62~|~~~~~~~~'~~~~~|~~~~~~~~
0.62 0.63 0.64 0.65
---K:.

0.66
-ooL
-1000
- -----L--H----l;--------i---~~~7---------T-\----
74
Time (s) .f'
Fig.3: AC current waveform without filters 2000 I I
0.6 0.61 0.62 0.63 0.64 0.65 0.66
16

14
Fundamental (50Hz) = 9.705e+004V THD= 20.73%
, Time (s)
, AC current waveform with filters
Fig.6:
Fundamental (50Hz) = 1754A THD= 0.92%

-12_1

E10 0.8

0 Fi.:pe1 111gaoACurntihutitr
I oddlr
5 10 15 l _''I. 20 III| |I|| 25

Fig.4:~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~Fg7
SpetrldagamrAalen without filer LAC.L. curren with ilte.
These current harmonics flow through the plant Fg7 pcrldarmo Ccretwt itr
and cause voltage distortion. The frequency

2981

Authorized licensed use limited to: UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO PARA. Downloaded on June 16,2021 at 23:12:14 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
 Fundamental (50Hz) = 9.518e+004 THD= 2.48% 8. CONCLUSION

This paper presented an algorithm for harmonic

5 filter design based on PFC and with considering
E0 several criteria. The proposed algorithm has been
used for a 6-pulse HVDC converter and
simulation results show the improvement of both
power quality and power factor.
0.5 Four single tuned filters and a damped filter is
applied for the aforementioned purposes. Since
Ol 5 1 %armonic order1'5 20 25 the high pass filter presents a considerable
Fig.8: Spectral digram of AC voltage with filters capacitive reactance at fundamental frequency, it
is better to dedicate more reactive power to its
Since the tuning frequencies of resonant filters capacitance to decrease both losses and
are less than harmonic frequencies, these filters resonance chance. Results show that the
absorb reactive power at harmonic frequency and harmonic circumstances will be improved in this
consequently, the generated reactive power is condition.
rather different from which is obtained by eq. Finally, it must be considered that the above
(12). The actual reactive power that is provided algorithm can be applied for other plant and
by filters is equal to 59.271Mvar, which is so utility power systems. Selection of the HVDC
close to desire reactive power (60Mvar) and converter is only for wide spectrum of harmonic
includes about %1.2 in accuracy. frequency, which is generated by this unit. Also
In the above designing, the voltage total we are applying this algorithm for a practical
harmonic distortion (VTHD) is approximately system with actual data. the results will be
equal to standard threshold (%2.5), determined presented in the next studies and papers.
by IEEE Std-519 1992 [1]. This is because of a
semi-resonance, which is happened about 17'th 9. REFERENCES
harmonic and amplifies the high order of the 111 IEEE Std 519-1992, "IEEE Recommended
voltage harmonics. Therefore, we repeat the and Requirements for Harmonic Control in
design algorithm with increasing the size of the Electrical Power Systems"
high pass filter. The new filter parameters are 121 J.C.Dos, "Passive Filters-Potentialities and
presented in table 3. limitations", IEEE Trans. on Industry
Applications, Vol. 40, No. 1, Jan./Feb. 2004
Table3: The Values of new designed filters 13] Belgin Turkay, "Harmonic filter design and
C (uf) L (mH) R (Q) power factor correction in a cement factory",
tCs = 2.25
C=25 L5L5=11.
= 181.6 R55=26September
= 2.65 IEEE Porto power tech conference, 10-13th
2001
C7 = 2.25 L7 = 93.43 R7 = 1.89 14] E.W.Kimbark, "Direct Current
C1I = 2.25 L11 = 37.56 R11 = 1.21 Transmission", John wiley & Sons, 1971
C13 = 2.25 L13 = 28.6 R13 = 1.02 15] Elham.B.Makram and etc, "Harmonic filter
[CH = 2.25 LH = 6.96 RH = l l l design using actual recorded data", IEEE Trans.
on Indusry Applications, Vol.29, No.6,
Nov./Dec. 1993
The new filters improve VTHD, in addition to 16] H.Cheng, H.Sasaki and N.Yorino, "A new
ITHD. Fig. 9 shows the frequency spectrum of method for both harmonic voltage and harmonic
AC voltage after installation of new filters. The current suppression and power factor correction
actual generated VAR by filters in this condition in industrial power system", IEEE paper 1995,
is 72.89Mvar, which includes only %0.81 in Serial No. 0-7803-2479-x/95/,
accuracy. 17] Sheng Chou and etc, "A new Approach to
2 Fundamental (5OHz) = 9.535e+004V, THD= 1.58% design harmonic filters in industrial power
systems", IEEE paper 1996, Serial No. 0-7803-
3544-9/96
181 Mohammad M.Saied, Sami .A.Khader,
E s4~~~~~~~~~~~Optimal
design of AC filter circuits in HVDC
, 1 ~~~~~~~~~~~converter
s tations", IEEE paper 1995, Serial No.
S ~~~~~~~~~~~0-7803-3008-0/95

5O 9-Iarmonic order1 5 25 20
Fig.9: Spectral diagram of AC voltage with new
filters

2982

Authorized licensed use limited to: UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO PARA. Downloaded on June 16,2021 at 23:12:14 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
 Appendix(A): Diagram for designing the resonant filter Appendix (B): Diagram for designing the high pass filter

Input: n c.
List of harmonic curents, Input:
n1 ,c List of harmonic currents,
Network characteristic (capacitive or Network characteristic (capacitive or inductive)
inductive) and demand reactive power (Qfn) and demand reactive power (Qf l)

Determine QOP and VH(std) n2 QfnI

Q fnl =Qfnl (a + b) C| 2=
n 2 I'Co 2

C n 2 2
CioJIV
n + V1
| frnear the first pair of characteristic
~~~~~~~~~~~Choose
harmonics, which tuned filters are not provided
Choose fr with considering 5,n and xf
n
fj = 18 x 50
network characteristic (capacitive or
inductive)

+ | ~~~ ~~~Ln R =QXO= 0.570

Ln2 |~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cn C27f) C
Cn (2/7f
V17 = aVl, Klg WIb

Qopt Qopt Cn,

a±>+
Calculate harmonic voltage (Vh)

55

Calculate: VID=
VI
<
VH VH(S

Yes |Add VTD to the foregone VTD's

/ Display R, L,C Q/+O 1 D '4<

NSo
2 3Select the least VTD among the
to ) allowable VTD'S

Authorized licensed use limited to: UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO PARA. Downloaded on June 16,2021 at 23:12:14 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.