Urban Light Rail Transportation Systems Catenary Line Anti-Icing Applications, Laboratory and Field Tests

Abstract

Problems such as freezing, icing, and/or snow accumulation in machine systems during winter can adversely affect the performance of such systems, sometimes even stopping them altogether. One system affected by winter conditions is energy transmission lines. Without intervention, snow and/or ice accumulating on electrical wires can cause electrical transmission performance to drop and, in extreme cases, can cause wire breakage due to heavy wires. One of the energy transmission system where power lines are open to the atmosphere is the pantograph-catenary system that takes up electrical energy. Frosting and ice accumulation on the catenary lines leads to arc formation and, in some cases, can interfere with electrical conduction between the pantograph and the catenary line. In the case of light rail transportation systems, this problem may lead to greater problems than in other rail systems. In Turkey, activities undertaken in preparation for winter and route maintenance in the intercity railway transmission lines are well known, but procedures for light rail systems are in their infancy. In particular, the use of light rail systems in cold regions, where conditions are more difficult, creates certain problems. Anticipation of problems that may arise is vital for transportaion it requires research studiues to solve such inevitable problems. In this study, an experimental setup is designed to simulate snow and dew formation on copper wires in an attempt to prevent/eliminate the icing problem that occurs on urban light rail transportation system catenary lines. Field tests have also been carried out by applying an anti-icing chemical solution on the catenary lines of the Eskişehir urban light rail transport system (ESTRAM). As a result of the field tests, it was observed that the application of mono-ethylene glycol to wires can reduce arc formation and wear of the lines considerably. It has even been found that the application of mono-ethylene glycol before freezing of the line has the potential to reduce wear, breakdown and maintenance costs in catenary lines.

Katener-Pantograf Etkileşimi İçin Elektrikli Tren Uygulama Çalışması

“…In his study, Er made catenary line icing prevention applications for urban light rail transportation systems in pantograph-catenary systems. He repeated his practice in the laboratory environment with field experiments in the outside area [77]. Guiming et al in the study carried out, the carbon wire wear of a pantograph on trains at 250 km / h is very high.…”