Assessment of Locomotive Fleet Operation Using the Methods of Decreasing Dimensions

Abstract

Purpose. The main purpose of the work is to reduce the time for analysis and increase the efficiency of processing statistical information on assessing the locomotive fleet operation through the use of methods to reduce the data dimensionality. Methodology. To conduct the study, the methodology for constructing an arbitrary process index was chosen. Using the methodology allows selecting from the total set of parameters those components that are the most informative. Using the method of hierarchies analysis based on the obtained main components, it is possible to construct a single generalizing indicator. Findings. The approaches to improving the existing system of indicators for accounting the operation of locomotives were analyzed. The expediency of using dimensionality reduction methods to analyze the locomotive operation was substantiated. Using the method of main components, the most informative indicators of locomotive operation and the degree of their influence on the general level of traffic safety in locomotive economy, the implementation of the maintenance system are determined. The examples of the analysis of locomotive economy indicators using the proposed methodology, index of performance of maintenance system, traffic safety indices and operational safety in locomotive economy are given. The locomotive economy was analyzed through a joint review of the proposed integrated indices, as well as quantitative and qualitative indicators of the locomotive use. The difference between these indicators shows a deterioration or improvement in the traffic safety state, taking into account the volume of work performed. Increase in the operational traffic safety coefficient over the safety index shows a deterioration in the traffic safety state, despite a decrease in the absolute values of indicators characterizing the level of traffic safety in locomotive economy. Originality. For the first time, it was proposed to evaluate the traffic safety state in locomotive economy through the difference between the traffic safety and operational safety indices. Practical value. To analyze the operation of locomotive fleet, it is advisable to use the methods to reduce the data dimensionality. To assess the traffic safety state, it is more advisable to use the operational safety index, since it takes into account the volumetric performance indicators of locomotive economy.

Improving the System of Electricity Consumption Rationing

“…During haul operation of the electric locomotives of different series and the same series as part of a different number of sections, the consumption of electricity will be different, which is caused by differences in traction characteristics and consumption of electricity for own needs [9,10].…”

“…In formula (9), the average specific electricity consumption is taken for a depot, because the value of the average train mass varies within small ranges from month to month, with a minimum limit of preventing the circulation of incomplete trains, and a maximum limit of the maximum train mass per electric locomotive. During rationing, the resulting rate severity factor is applied to each cell of the two-dimensional table by train mass and average car axle load in train.…”

“…Based on the data collected, the reduction in specific energy consumption depending on the coefficient of rate severity was determined using formula (9). As can be seen from them, in both cases, the maximum reduction in specific energy consumption is observed at a rate severity factor of 0.2 (the recommended value of the rate severity factor is in the range of 0.16 -0.21).…”

Development of low power water boilers operating on conventional and alternative fuels

“…Observations of the operation of a gas-generating boiler have shown that when wood is burned, a certain amount of tar can be deposited in the boiler (in the chimney, in the heat exchanger). It is known [10] that in installations for gasification of solid fuel, depending on the design, the concentration of resins in the gas can be different: 10 ÷ 100 g/m 3 -for the direct process, for the reverse process -50 ÷ 500 mg/m 3 (gas movement down through a roasted dense layer of coke residue). According to [11], during gasification (downward movement of gases) of wood chips ( = 166 kg/m 3 , W w = 11 %), a gas with a resin concentration of about 6 g/m3 is released, during gasification of firewood ( = 256 kg/m 3 , W w = 6 %) -3.24 g/m 3 , heads of cabbage and corn stalks (W w = 11 %) -7.24 g/m 3 .The site of the Dutch company ECN [12,13] contains a resin classification system.…”

“…Depending on the class of resin and its concentration in the combustion products, the dew point temperature of the resin will vary. Focusing on the possible concentrations of resin in the combustion products [10,11] and on the description of resins [13], we have identified the possible ranges of the dew point temperature of the resin in the boiler. In the range from 1000 to 10000 mg/nm 3 , the temperature of the dew point of the resin will be 100 ÷ 135 С.…”