Snow accretion on a model train: Climate wind tunnel experiments

Abstract

Snow and ice accumulation on the main parts of rolling stock can lead to malfunctions and safety issues. This paper presents the results of snow accretion tests conducted in a climate wind tunnel to investigate the icing process on a model train at various ambient temperatures. A simplified 2/3-scale EMU-320 high-speed Korean train model was used without electrical power or heat sources. Before testing, the snow flux and liquid water content of snow were measured to enable their use as input conditions in future simulations and to inform further analysis of the icing process. Both qualitative and quantitative data from the tests were analyzed, including photographs and snow density and thickness measurements. Snow accretion was broader at higher ambient temperatures, and snow accretion on the nose tended to be thicker further away from the stagnation point at higher temperatures. Snow accreted on all components of the bogie, and the thickest snow accretion on the wheels occurred at arc angles of 15–40° for cases of lower temperature while occurring at a larger angle at the highest temperature. The comprehensive data from these experiments is expected to support future analysis and development of anti-icing systems.