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   ORC technology to use waste heat in MUs  evaluated  
The waste energy produced by under-floor traction equipment in MU stock may be used for comfort functions. While the use of waste heat by means of heat exchangers is limited to heating, advanced technology based on the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) allows for the production of electric power from waste heat and thus for the use of waste energy for cooling or lighting purposes.
Technology field: Optimisation of comfort functions
open main section General information
close main section General criteria
  close sub-section Status of development: research & experiments
    In 1996, a feasibility study on the potential for power generation from waste heat in EMUs was commissioned by DB AG.
  Time horizon for broad application: 5 - 10 years
    (no details available)
  Expected technological development: highly dynamic
    (no details available)
    Motivation:
    Energy saving
  Benefits (other than environmental): none
    (no details available)
  Barriers: high
   

Energy recovery potential in EMUs

Whereas the potential is high in DMUs due to high temperatures occurring in diesel engines, the potential is somewhat lower in EMUs since waste heat is available only at temperatures between 80 and 120°C.

Costs

Based on present prices, the payback of an application in EMU stock would be 20 years and more and is therefore not yet profitable. The situation is more favourable for DMUs.

Complexity

The implementation of an ORC cycle for the under-floor equipment would considerably increase the complexity of MU stock.

Technological maturity

Although ORCs are already in use in stationary applications in industry, there is no experience with ORC technology for railway vehicles. In the initial phase, downtimes and maintenance costs could therefore be high.
    Success factors:
    (no details available)
  Applicability for railway segments: high
    Type of traction:  electric - DC, electric - AC, diesel
    Type of transportation:  passenger - main lines, passenger - high speed, passenger - regional lines, passenger - suburban lines
    The use of ORCs to generate electricity from waste heat is only feasible for MU stock.
    Grade of diffusion into railway markets:
  Diffusion into relevant segment of fleet: 0 %
  Share of newly purchased stock: 0 %
    (no details available)
  Market potential (railways): highly uncertain
    At present, the use of ORCs meets high barriers in both DMUs and EMUs. The future potential could be high but is highly uncertain.
    Example:
    (no details available)
open main section Environmental criteria
open main section Economic criteria
open main section Application outside railway sector
open main section Overall rating
References / Links:  europa.eu.int
Attachments:
Related projects:
Contact persons:
 date created: 2002-10-09
 
 
© UIC - International Union of Railways 2003
 
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