Technologies        
  Hauptmenu
 
    Introduction
    Database
    -  Technologies
  -  Projects
    Calendar
    Discussions
    Contact & Links
    Imprint & Disclaimer
    Sitemap
 
 
     
 
Content
 
back to list go back to technology list      previous previous technology  next technology  next

   CO2-based demand control for coach ventilation  evaluated  
The ventilation of confined spaces can be controlled according to demand by using CO2-concentration as an indicator for occupancy. This concept can be applied to railway passenger coaches and saves energy since less outside air has to be heated or cooled to inside temperature.
Technology field: Optimisation of comfort functions
open main section General information
close main section General criteria
  close sub-section Status of development: in use
    CO2-based demand-controlled ventilation is used in some limited applications in railways, e.g. in some DB trains such as ICE-T tilting trains, new sleepers and couchettes.
  Time horizon for broad application: 5 - 10 years
    (no details available)
  Expected technological development: basically exploited
   

There is still some improvement potential in sensor technology:

  • DB experience: Shortcomings of today‘s sensors: strong sensor drifting. Frequent calibration required.
  • Complementary sensor for „bad smell“ (VOCs etc.) is desirable but not yet available for railway needs.
    Motivation:
    Energy efficiency
  Benefits (other than environmental): none
    (no details available)
  Barriers: medium
   

General barrier

Passenger comfort: Some experts stress that low CO2 levels alone do not always guarantee good air quality.

Specific barriers for retrofit measure

Technological: A pre-condition for CO2-based demand-controlled ventilation is power-controllable ventilation equipment.

Economic: Retrofit expensive: amortisation not always favourable.
    Success factors:
   

Implementation

Combine installation of CO2-based demand-controlled ventilation with a general energetic retrofit (coach insulation etc) in order to obtain optimum cost-benefit ratio.

Technological

Combine CO2-based demand-controlled ventilation with a complementary sensor for „bad smell“ (VOCs etc.) to form a reliable air quality sensor.
  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
    In principle CO2-based demand-controlled ventilation may be applied in all passenger stock. In new stock, there are no principal barriers and CO2-based demand-controlled ventilation could be set as a requirement. Retrofit of existing stock is an option, but cost-benefit ratio is not always favourable. If hardware conditions (variable ventilation equipment) are not given, refit is especially costly. For old coaches with short residual terms such a measure is usually out of question.
    Grade of diffusion into railway markets:
  Diffusion into relevant segment of fleet: < 5%
  Share of newly purchased stock: < 20%
   

German DB AG: ICE-T tilting trains, new sleepers and couchettes. CO2-based demand-controlled ventilation is part of the specification sheet for new high speed stock.

Dutch NS Reizigers: pilot project involving two trainsets

Swiss SBB: Several refurbished coaches in regular service.
  Market potential (railways): high
    No major barriers are visible that could keep CO2-based demand-controlled ventilation from becoming a standard in passenger stock.
    Example:
   

Refitting of B 20-73 at SBB

SBB refitted the B 20-73 coach with a bundle of energy saving measures (CO2-ventilation, coach insulation etc.). The programme reduced total energy consumption (incl. traction) by 14 % and showed a good cost-benefit ratio.
open main section Environmental criteria
open main section Economic criteria
open main section Application outside railway sector
open main section Overall rating
References / Links:  Brunner, Gartner 1999;  Dongen, Fiechter 2000;  Emmerich, Persily 1997
Attachments:
Related projects:  CO2-controlled ventilation;  Savings on Coaches, Type Bpm
Contact persons:
 date created: 2002-10-09
 
 
© UIC - International Union of Railways 2003
 
Aktionmenu
 
 Your contribution
   add technology
 Views of this page
   show overview
   show evaluation
   show details
 Print options
   print data sheet
   print screen
 Help
   Evaluation briefing
   Technology list
    French - German