Does anyone know how I can find out, very specifically and in detail, how hybrid locomotives work? I've found lots of things like... "It uses batteries to assist diesel generators" and stuff like that, but the detail is lacking.
I managed to get this topic for a chemistry project (lucky me) and I need something that explains the chemical kind of stuff that's going on, ie. how the batteries themselves work. I'm still looking, but just thought some of you guys might know where to look.
-Tim
THayman wrote:I managed to get this topic for a chemistry project (lucky me) and I need something that explains the chemical kind of stuff that's going on, ie. how the batteries themselves work. I'm still looking, but just thought some of you guys might know where to look.
Almost universally in this type of application, you'll find your garden variety lead-acid or sealed lead-acid battery, like what's used to start a car.
I can almost guarantee that you'll find the reaction in your chemistry textbook-It's pretty much a standard example in the electrochemistry chapter. If not, I can probably scan a few pages for you.
Let me know if you have any other questions or need any help with this aspect of it-I'm currently in school as a chemistry major.
THayman wrote: Does anyone know how I can find out, very specifically and in detail, how hybrid locomotives work? I've found lots of things like... "It uses batteries to assist diesel generators" and stuff like that, but the detail is lacking.I managed to get this topic for a chemistry project (lucky me) and I need something that explains the chemical kind of stuff that's going on, ie. how the batteries themselves work. I'm still looking, but just thought some of you guys might know where to look.
To understand how a hybrid locomotive or automobile works, you have to understand how a conventional locomotive or automobile Works. In both cases, the prime mover (diesel or gas engine) provide the propulsion to move or accelerate the vehicle. Brakes, or various other configurations, are used to slow or stop the vehicle by converting the forward momentum of the vehicle into heat that is then disappated to the atmosphere. A hybrid vehicle can get by with a smaller prime mover because the provide the majority of the motive force. The prime mover operates only when additional power is needed or the batteries need to be recharge. However, when the locomotive is not moving, the prime mover can continue running to recharge the batteries. The batteries have another charging source other than the prime mover. Instead of disappating the forward momentum of the vehicle as heat when the vehicle slows down, the elecdtric motor (or motors) are turned into generators to also recharge the batteries. This is called regeneration. This is what allows a hybrid automobile to achieve better fuel mileage in stop and go driving and a 300 HP Hybrid locomotive to due the work of a 1500 hp switcher in yard work, only. An over the road engine, running at or near full power all the time, cannot recharge the batteries en-route. Once discharged, the batteries then becaome dead weight and cannot boost the engine's performance.
Thanks for the info. I should be able to work from here.