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   Heat exchangers to use waste heat in MUs  evaluated  
The waste energy produced by under-floor traction equipment in MU stock can partially be used for comfort functions by means of heat exchangers. This is already in use in modern DMU stock but not yet implemented in EMUs.
Technology field: Optimisation of comfort functions
close main section General information
  close sub-section Description
   

The waste energy produced by under-floor traction equipment in MU stock can be used to heat passenger coaches. In many cases, the amount of thermal energy produced this way is sufficient to supply all the heating energy needed.

The use of waste heat can be realised by a heat exchanger (usually of the air-air type). This is already realised in modern DMU stock. In EMUs such a system is not yet implemented.

A more sophisticated method to make use of waste heat from traction equipment for comfort functions is based on the ORC principle. Such a system which is not yet realised in railways would permit to produce power for electric comfort functions from waste heat.

close main section General criteria
  close sub-section Status of development: in use
   

The use of waste heat by means of heat exchangers is already realized in many modern DMUs but not yet in EMUs.

  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: medium
   

While for DMUs, the use of waste heat by means of heat exchangers is already implemented in some modern stock and barriers for a further diffusion are low, the extension of the measure to EMUs meets the following barriers:

Complexity

Compared to DMUs, the heat sources in EMUs are less concentrated along the train: motors, transformers and inverters are distributed along the entire train length. Furthermore the temperature of the individual heat source is relatively low (e.g. some 80-120 °C in the case of electric traction motors). To use this heat in an effective way requires a relatively sophisticated concept for the air flow of the heat exchanger. This will increase initial and maintenance costs as well as liability to defect.

    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 waste heat from traction equipment on the basis of heat exchangers is only feasible for MU stock because waste heat cannot be transported along the train.

    Grade of diffusion into railway markets:
  Diffusion into relevant segment of fleet: < 5%
  Share of newly purchased stock: < 20%
   

DMUs: use of waste heat from traction equipment is a common feature in modern stock.

EMUs: not yet in use.

  Market potential (railways): medium
    (no details available)
    Example:
    (no details available)
close main section Environmental criteria
  close sub-section Impacts on energy efficiency:
  Energy efficiency potential for single vehicle: 5 - 10%
  Energy efficiency potential throughout fleet: 1 - 2%
   

According to DSB, the amount of waste energy produced is mostly sufficient for heating in all seasons. Given that comfort functions account for about 20% of total energy demand for passenger train operation and the fact that the power for lighting and cooling cannot be supplied by such a system, the saving potential will be between 5 and 10 %.

  Other environmental impacts: neutral
    (no details available)
close main section Economic criteria
  close sub-section Vehicle - fix costs: (no data)
    (no details available)
  Vehicle - running costs: significant reduction
    (no details available)
  Infrastructure - fix costs: none
    (no details available)
  Infrastructure - running costs: unchanged
    (no details available)
  Scale effects: medium
   

Especially in EMUs, where the use of waste heat is not yet realized, there would be clear scale effects in the initial introduction phase.

  Amortisation: (no data)
    (no details available)
no data available Application outside railway sector (this technology is railway specific)
close main section Overall rating
  close sub-section Overall potential: promising
  Time horizon: mid-term
   

The use of waste heat from traction equipment is a promising strategy to reduce the energy demand of comfort functions. In DMUs the measure is becoming a standard in new stock. A corresponding solution for EMUs meets more technological challenges and has not been developed yet. More R&D efforts for EMUs are justified since even for electric stock the energy efficiency potential is promising.

References / Links:
Attachments:
Related projects:  High-speed co-operation project
Contact persons:
 date created: 2002-10-09
 
 
© UIC - International Union of Railways 2003
 
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