Effect of Lightening Material Technology on Rail Vehicle Design Using Energy and Economic Analysis

초록

These days, railway vehicle is designed under the balancing concept among engineering, economics and environment termed Ecodesign. The ultimate goals of development are to improve running speed, enhance the ride comfort and particularly minimize the energy consumption during operation. Since the energy consumption during operation reduces, the operating cost is forecasted to dramatically decline. The lightening material technology is the heart of development. The carbon fiber reinforced plastic called CFRP is that technology. Although CFRP has proven in term of engineering design, it is classified as non-metal having less recycling potential compare to metal. The energy intensity of its acquisition was found to be higher than that of metal. Thereby, the usual assumption that scopes only operation is hardly adequate for addressing economic and environmental performance. The rational selection of the best material is not only the technical performance but also environment and economics. With an emphasis on environment and economics evaluation, the accepted scientific approach termed simplified LCA is employed. The purpose of this study is to conduct the comparative LCA of electric conventional and electric composite train. The conventional train made from steel. While CFRP which is compatible with aluminum honeycomb applied for the body part of the composite train. In order to make a judicious comparison, the basis of evaluation has been determined. Raw material acquisition, operation and end of life management are the scope of the study. The function of train is to move passenger between sources and destinations. The functional unit is one electric train comprising of six car bodies. It operates for 25 years with 3,550,000 km of total distance. The amount of energy consumption and cost are the indicators for comparison. The first effect of using this technology is the reduction of vehicle weight. About 40% of weight reduction is found. Furthermore, the scientific results reveal that application of lightening material technology through this new rail vehicle minimizes the energy consumption accounting for 1.97E+6 kWh per functional unit. As a result, over 130 million Korea won are saved as the benefits of this application.