Kanchrapara Workshop open for more hybrid shunting locos

WAG-5 22127 getting turned at KPA workshop for dual mode shunting operation.

The premier Eastern Railway workshop of Kanchrapara (KPA) is working on developing hybrid shunting locomotives, of the prestigious projects of Indian.

First hybrid EMU shunting car developed by KPA workshop

Kanchrapara Workshop under Eastern Railway, which has successfully developed and supplied the first hybrid EMU shunting car very recently, is working on another prestigious project for developing hybrid shunting locomotive. Being developed on condemned, WAG- 5, Vizag based conventional locomotive, the locomotive will be capable to operate in both 25 kV AC wired and unwired sections for shunting 24 coaches rakes.

Working on the basic principle, the locomotive will be capable to operate in two modes. This will consist the ‘OHE mode’ when 25 Kv OHE will feed traction power and simultaneously charge the batteries. The second mode will be ‘battery mode’ when the battery will feed traction power. Nicd battery (3.6 v, 199AH) having the high energy density, better thermal efficiency and fast charging capability can be used in a group of 130/ 140 sets to cater to per traction bogie (three traction motors) to fulfill the requirement of starting as well as running the locomotive. As in battery mode, the transformer, GR, SL, RSI will remain idle and the traction motors will operate up to 10 percent of its rated voltage, during this all the blowers (MVRH, MVMT, MVSI, MVSL) will remain switched off. According to the workshop, the compressor will be required both in OHE and DC mode, hence EMU type DC compressors can be used which will be fed by the battery charger in the ‘OHE mode’ and battery in the ‘Battery mode’. With the engineering principles incorporated, the locomotive can operate with its full capacity in OHE mode except in dynamic braking and field weakening facility.

HEIGHTENED CUSTOMISED ENGINEERING

WAG-5 22127 getting converted for dual mode. Conversion will comprise dynamic braking circuit replacement by battery rack, AC compressor alteration by DC EMU compressor among others.

Four number of battery sets ( 72 battery in each set), two numbers of traction battery chargers and two numbers of battery contactor panels are to be incorporated in the locomotive over and above the existing equipment to convert it into battery operated shunting locomotive. Hence, all the equipment related to vacuum brake, shunting, field weakening, and dynamic braking are removed or customized as per the availability of space.

CONTROL CIRCUIT LOGIC

Since the locomotive will operate in two modes, OHE and battery mode, the driver can select one mode at a time by selecting one additional reverser key which will be provided in the driver’s desk. Battery contactor panel is provided to change the series-parallel combination of battery in two stages i.e 36 v and 72 v which can be selected by the driver using the existing shunting key (which is redundant) otherwise. The compressors( DC EMU type) will operate normally as per the requirements from the RGCP in OHE mode. In battery mode, the compressor will operate when the loco is idle and when battery series-parallel combination is in second stage i.e 72 v if there is a requirement as per RGCP. Looking forward, KPA workshop will be looking to develop more hybrid shunting loco projects. This is due to very high levels of condemned locos at its disposal.