Comparative Analysis of Effectiveness of Resistance and Induction Turnout Heating

Elzbieta Szychta and Leszek Szychta
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Elzbieta Szychta: Department of Electricity Power Plant, UTP University of Science and Technology in Bydgoszcz, 85-326 Bydgoszcz, Poland
Leszek Szychta: Department of Power Electronics, Electric Machines and Drives, UTP University of Science and Technology in Bydgoszcz, 85-326 Bydgoszcz, Poland

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 20, 1-19

Abstract: Turnouts are key parts of rail roads and are exposed to adverse weather conditions such as snowfall, snow drifts, low temperatures, or sleet. Effective protection assures good turnout function and contributes to rail traffic efficiency and safety. Presently, resistance heating (RH) is the most common system of turnout heating in Europe. In this study, we attempted to implement energy-saving induction heating (IH) in order to cut costs of operation and electricity. A turnout heating test stand, including a stock-rail and a switch-rail, was executed in a climatic chamber. Air temperature was constant at the time of heating. Active power received by both the systems was identical for any measurement (450 W). Test results enabled an assessment of switch-rail position and variations of climatic chamber air temperature on growth of turnout temperatures. Effects of heating type on correct lubrication of the slide plate surface were compared. Dynamics of heating variations and their impact on effectiveness of snow or ice removal were defined for both heating systems. Turnout’s readiness for switch-rail shifting and lubrication conditions of turnout’s moving parts were compared. An in-depth comparative analysis of efficiency of RH and IH turnout heating was undertaken in the conclusion.

Keywords: energy efficiency; induction heating; resistance heating; turnouts; railway; safety of rail traffic; stock-rail; switch-rail (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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