ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY © Deutsche Bahn
In
Sustainability and de-icing
There are a number of challenges faced by rail operators and those responsible for maintaining the rail network during the winter season. Chief executive of Kilfrost, the global leader in the supply of de/anti-icing products for the transport industry, Gary Lydiate, discusses these challenges and explores environmental considerations.
The challenge of ice formation on trains
There are a number of safety critical challenges presented during the winter months. The build-up of ice and snow on the underside of trains can add a lot of extra weight to a vehicle, affecting its performance. If the ice detaches itself, this presents a danger as falling ice can also cause ballast to become dislodged and hit the train, damaging its exterior and even breaking windows. It can also damage the track itself. This increases both vehicle and track maintenance costs and can result in trains being out of service until components are replaced.
Track renewals can also be challenging.
Frozen ballast in the ground can slow down the excavation of the old ballast, including the lifting of the old rail sleepers. Also, if ballast is frozen when it arrives to site in the auto hoppers, it cannot escape down the funnel chute. This can lead to possession overruns and disruption and delays on the railways.
De-icing tracks and trains
There are environmental aspects to consider when selecting de- and anti-icing solutions for both the track and rolling stock. When assessing the environmental performance of fl uids, it is important that the full life cycle of the product
62 | rail technology magazine Jun/Jul 14
is considered. For example, it is possible to take a bio-route when manufacturing fl uids using corn sugar-derived glycol in place of glycol derived from a petrochemical route.
Due to the large quantities of fl uid that can be required during a winter season, using a sustainable glycol in the manufacture of de/ anti-icing fl uid is set to have a dramatic impact on the carbon footprint resulting from the transport industry, including rail.
The industry’s attention is also turning to how anti-icing procedures can be used to minimise the need for de-icing and reduce environmental impact. Traditional ways to remove ice and snow include using blowers, heaters and hot water to melt the ice, which are both time and energy consuming.
It is now possible to treat the underside of trains with anti-icing fl uids from a tank beside the track. In order to make the process more environmentally friendly, any surplus fl uid that drips from the train is collected by a long stainless steel collector tray, fi ltered and re-used in the next treatment. This process – which can take just seven minutes – can reduce the time needed for de-icing by more than 50%.
When treating ballast, as the stones are laid on the ground, it is fundamental that the de/anti-
icing fl uid is non-hazardous, as well as fully biodegradable. Consequently, efforts have been focused on developing Kilfrost AGT. This fl uid is designed to prevent ballast from freezing so that it can be transported and distributed onto the track, offering high levels of de/anti-icing performance down to temperatures as low as -25C.
The product works by being sprayed onto the ballast, removing any moisture from the surface and creating a coating which prevents further moisture from forming. The fl uid is non-toxic and does not leave any harmful residue on the ground. It is also highly resistant to precipitation, meaning it can effectively prevent ice from forming for longer.
The future for de/anti-icing
Manufacturers of de/anti-icing fl uids are striving to make products greener and more sustainable, as well as improving their resistance to precipitation, more severe weather conditions and higher speeds. At Kilfrost, the focus is to continue to innovate within every aspect of railway operations, including both infrastructure and rolling stock.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
T: +44 (0)1434 320 332 E:
info@kilfrost.com W:
www.kilfrost.com
© Deutsche Bahn
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