SOLAR-POWERED REFRIGERATION SYSTEM FOR RAILWAY REFRIGERATOR CARS

The potential of an available method to reduce the fuel consumption of the mechanically refrigerated railcars used for transporting perishable commodities has been investigated. An energy-oriented engineering analysis showed that a compact refrigeration system deriving its power from photovoltaic cells could be used in the design of railcar equipment for transporting perishable produce. Maximum load-respiration data and a heat-loss analysis for mechanically refrigerated railcars in service today were used to develop the energy design requirements of an alternative system. A solar-energy system was used to eliminate the need for fossil fuels, which also eliminates the emission of air pollutants and reduces acoustical emissions. The results reflect the present state of the art for designing and supplying power to railcar refrigeration systems and the way in which these systems could be used to alleviate projected energy problems in refrigerated transport.

Media Info

  • Media Type: Digital/other
  • Features: Figures; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: pp 58-65
  • Monograph Title: Track systems and other related railroad topics
  • Serial:

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00183896
  • Record Type: Publication
  • ISBN: 0309026822
  • Files: TRIS, TRB
  • Created Date: Dec 3 1978 12:00AM