A Conceptualized Hydrail Powertrain: A Case Study of the Union Pearson Express Route

Abstract

A hydrogen rail (hydrail) powertrain is conceptualized in this study, using drive cycles collected from the trains currently working on the Union Pearson Express (UPE) railroad. The powertrain consists of three preliminary different subsystems: fuel cell, battery, and hydrogen storage systems. A backward design approach is proposed to calculate the time-variable power demand based on a “route simulation data” method. The powertrain components are then conceptually sized according to the calculated duty cycle. The results of this study show that 275 kg of hydrogen is sufficient to satisfy the daily power and energy demand of a hydrogen locomotive with drive cycles similar to the ones currently working on the UPE rail route.