Boost converter design guide

Question

I am making a TL494-controlled boost converter from discrete components which has these specs:

1. Max output power: 120 W
2. Max output voltage: 100 V
3. Max output current: 10 A
4. Supported input voltage: 7-18 V
5. Max input current: 12 A (Absolute max is 15 A, but not recommended)
6. Switching frequency is 100 kHz

I will be using a high-current inductor so I don't have big inductance options unless I make the inductor myself. As far as I know inductance is important for current ripple; if I get a huge ripple it may overshoot the maximum current rating. Here is the circuit and simulation:

In the simulation the current ripple is 2 A which is acceptable. A closer look:

But when I calculate the ripple with the formula:

$$I_{ripple}=\frac{V_i\cdot D}{L\cdot f}=\\ \frac{12\cdot 0.87}{4.7\cdot10^{-6}\cdot 100000}=22\ \mathrm{A}$$

I don't know which one to trust.

Can you tell me if this is an acceptable design for a student project?

Is the way I do my calculations alright?

Does it matter when the converter operates at CCM or DCM?

Matlab:

    clear; clc;
%% Parameters
f = 100000;
Vi = 12;
P = 120;
Vo_max = 100;
Iomax = 10;

%% Requested Scenario
Vo = 100;
Io = 1.2;
deltaV = 0.1;

%% variables of the scenario
R = Vo/Io;
D = 1-(Vi/Vo)

%% Results for CCM
%L = (D*(1-D)^2*R)/(2*f);
L = 4.7 * 10^-6;
Ii = Vo/Vi * Io % = IL
%Iripple = Vi*D/(L*f)
C = D/(R*(deltaV/Vo)*f)

%% Results for boundary conditions
D1 = (Vo_max/Vi)*(2*L*f/(R*D));
IL_max = Vi*D/(L*f)

Answer 1

Can you tell me if this is an acceptable design for a student project?

Not really, Depends on the student and the class, and would probably be up to the teacher.

Is the way I do my calculations alright?

Probably, but if you plan on building this thing you may want to simulate feedback. Boost converters usually use voltage feedback (with a divider) to regulate the voltage under a changing load. Another thing that is needed is something to change the switching if the voltage is changing (like a comparator). You may also want to simulate a variety of different loads.

Lastly, if you are going to physically realize this thing, make sure you also put in parasitics (each wire or trace has resistance and inductance, this can be a problem, so model it and put it in the spice model to see if it changes. Also check thermal performance (power dissipated by holding alt and clicking on the component). If the power dissipated is more than the component can handle, it might melt down if you turn on the circuit.

Answer 2

I don't know which one to trust.

Check your gate drive pulse definition. Your calculations are for 100 kHz (8.7 μs on-time) but in your simulation you apply 1 MHz (0.87 μs on-time).

Does it matter when the converter operates at CCM or DCM?

Yes, it does.

For your other questions refer to God of Mods' answer.