Applicability and energy saving potential of thermoelectric radiant panels in high-speed train cabins

Abstract

This paper proposes a dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) with thermoelectric radiant panels (TERPs) for high-speed train cabins that prevents air quality problems and reduces operation energy consumption. The DOAS supplies cooled and dehumidified outdoor air for ventilation and the removal of latent loads. The cooling and heating loads can be accommodated using TERPs, which are suitable for use in train cabins owing to their simple structure. Moreover, the air flow at the exterior surface during train running can be used to remove rejected heat from the TERP. In this study, detailed energy simulations were conducted to evaluate the energy saving potential of the proposed system compared to the conventional variable air volume system. The results indicated that the proposed system can save 32.6% of the annual operation energy. In addition, the TERP system showed an annual COP exceeding 2.2 during 75% of its operational time.