NEW FORMS OF ENERGY CONVERSION

This report considers four new methods of energy conversion, namely: a) Fuel cells; b) Thermoelectric generators; c) Thermionic generation; d) Magnetoplasmadynamic generation. After a brief survey of the principles and of the present state of development their suitability to railway application is examined. Of the four methods only fuel cells and thermoelectric generators appear to have any future for railways. At the present time development of fuel cells is not sufficiently advanced for widespread practical application, but it is hoped that in 5 - 10 years the techniques will have developed sufficiently to make them of use. Thermoelectric generators are already available for power outputs up to 100 watts and although the price is at present high with further development and quantity production there is every hope that the first cost will in due course be halved. It is unlikely however that these generators will ever by economic for power outputs greater than 1 kW.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Restrictions on the use of this document are contained in the explanatory material.
• Corporate Authors:

  International Union of Railways

  Office of Research and Experiments
  Utrecht,   Netherlands 
• Publication Date: 1964-10

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 26 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Electric power generation; Energy conversion; Intelligent transportation systems; Power output
• Old TRIS Terms: Advanced systems; Plasma generators; Power conversion; Power production; Question a89
• Subject Areas: Energy; Operations and Traffic Management; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00052719
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: International Union of Railways
• Report/Paper Numbers: A89/RP 1/E
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 8 1994 12:00AM