ECOQUEST - Efficient Cooling Systems for QUieter Surface Transport
Overview
Background & policy context:
An important subsystem in surface transportation vehicles (rail bound, automotive and heavy duty) is the cooling unit. Present European standards for interoperability of rail bound traffic require low noise levels while manufactures need to meet the vehicle performance and energy efficiency requested by the operators.
The stringent EU6 emission limits, will increase dramatically the demand for cooling power in road vehicles without accepting a noise penalty. Manufactures need innovative methods for reducing development costs and testing, and thus further improving their competitiveness in the global market. The objectives are innovative contributions towards novel cooling units with reduced noise radiation and decreased CO2 emissions.
Objectives:
The project aims at efficient and quiet cooling systems for surface transport applications (rail bound, automotive and heavy duty): new compact lay outs, innovative heat management strategies and low energy/noise components. Intermediate objectives concern:
- implementation of an integrated simulation platform for noise mechanisms, scattering and propagation;
- development of design procedures for thermally and acoustically optimal cooling units;
- research on innovative fan designs and new passive noise control measures and their integration into novel cooling units.
Methodology:
Mass produced automotive units and large locomotive systems produced at small numbers are considered simultaneously: strong synergies and cross-fertilization are expected.
The project is structured in work packages (WP's). These deal with: (i) project co-ordination, (ii) focus on the acoustical models and their integration, (iii) take into account realistic train and automotive environments, (iv) deals with full scale vehicle tests and (v) concludes the project with an assessment, an exploitation plan and a dissemination.
Being an upstream-research oriented project, the majority of the work will be lead by universities and research institutes.
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