Improving the Fuel Economy and Energy Efficiency of Train Cab Climate Systems, Considering Air Recirculation Modes

Abstract

Current developments in vehicles have generated great interest in the research and optimization of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems as a factor to reduce fuel consumption. One of the key trends for finding solutions is the intensive development of electric transport and, consequently, additional requirements for reducing energy consumption and modifying climate systems. Of particular interest is the optimal functioning of comfort and life support systems during air recirculation, i.e., when there is a complete or partial absence of outside air supply, in particular to reduce energy consumption or when the environment is polluted. This work examines numerical models of airfields (temperature, speed, and humidity) and also focuses on the concentration of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the cabin, which is a critical factor for ensuring the health of the driver and passengers. To build a mathematical model, the Navier–Stokes equations with energy, continuity, and diffusion equations are used to simulate the diffusion of gases and air humidity. In the Ansys Fluent finite volume analysis package, the model is solved numerically using averaged RANS equations and k-ω turbulence models. The cabin of a mainline locomotive with two drivers, taking into account their breathing, is used as a transport model. The problem was solved in a nonstationary formulation for the design scenario of summer and winter, the time of stabilization of the fields was found, and graphs were constructed for different points in time. A comparative analysis of the uniformity of fields along the height of the cabin was carried out with different locations of deflectors, and optimal configurations were found. Energy efficiency values of the climate system operation in recirculation operating modes were obtained. A qualitative assessment of the driver’s blowing directions under different circulation and recirculation modes is given from the point of view of the concentration of carbon dioxide in the breathing area. The proposed solution makes it possible to reduce electricity consumption from 3.1 kW to 0.6 kW and in winter mode from 11.6 kW to 3.9 kW and save up to 1.5 L/h of fuel. The conducted research can be used to develop modern energy-efficient and safe systems for providing comfortable climate conditions for drivers and passengers of various types of transport.

Improving the Energy Efficiency of Vehicles by Ensuring the Optimal Value of Excess Pressure in the Cabin Depending on the Travel Speed

“…Figure 10 shows the velocity vectors in the plane passing through the driver in normal scale (Figure 11a) and enlarged scale (Figure 11b). To assess the flow turbulence for the above parameters of flow rate and deflector area, Figure 10 shows the turbulence intensity value [49]. According to the criterion for assessing the value of turbulence intensity, values of more than 1% are considered high [47].…”

“…The k − ε model can also be used; the k − ω and k − ε turbulence models are the most universal and will give similar results [49,50]. For this problem, the discrepancies are less than 1%.…”

“…Firstly, an assessment was carried out according to the orthogonal quality criterion. A value greater than 0.1 is acceptable [49]. Convergence was also assessed depending on the grid size; some of the data are shown in Table 1.…”