CFD Calculations on a Diesel Locomotive
Helbling Technik used CFD calculations for the development of the vehicle. Examples include tank optimization and engine cooling.
Procedure:
When developing a diesel-hydraulic locomotive, the crash characteristics were also determined by means of simulation as part of the approval process. Using a CFD system, analysis was conducted to ascertain the effects of the accelerations arising from a hard longitudinal impact on the movement of the diesel inside the tank.
Our work:
- Non-steady-state simulation of the tank “sloshing” during the crash using CFD (VOF method)
- Installation and optimization of the wash plates in the tank
- Calculation of the time course of the forces and pressures on the tank structure as a starting basis for the structural analysis using FEM
The ventilation concept for the engine compartment of the diesel-hydraulic locomotive had to be validated through simulation. At the same time, demonstration of additional optimization options was required. The work included:
- Analysis of the flow through the engine compartment, including heat transfer and radiation, using CFD
- Evaluation of the engine and air temperatures and the entry of dirt through the cooling air vents
- Optimization of the cooling of the engine through additional baffle plates
Customer: Voith Turbo Lokomotivtechnik GmbH & Co. KG
