Coradia iLint, a new and sophisticated alternative to diesel trains has been introduced by French multinational Alstom. The introduction comes after realizing that a replacement needs to be taken into effect as the more common diesel-powered trains are getting expensive, are noisy and hazardous to the environment. Not only that, but the older trains are running on infrastructures that have been outdated by decades and sometimes, centuries and is very costly to upgrade the rail system. That's where the Coradia iLint rolls in - the train is hydrogen-powered that can be switched from its diesel fuel source.
The Coradia iLint is the first of many trains that will be powered by hydrogen, replacing diesel. The goal is to hopefully make it better for the environment and make it cheaper to run. The very first train models are being tested on German railways and are set to be put in use in the middle of 2018. It's also worthy to note that the hydrogen-powered train could save 100% on emissions, depending on how the fuel is sourced.
Hydrogen tanks for the Coradia iLint train. (Image Credit: Coradia iLint, regional train, Salzgitter (Germany). Copyright: Alstom / Michael)
The most common trains are powered by diesel and have been run on that type of fuel for a century because the cost is cheap to run. Adding in electric power to railways has occurred in the past, but it's greatly expensive - which Alstom has put a price on that runs up to $1.4 million for every 62 miles.
Another potential idea that has been put out there, but rejected are battery-powered trains. The issue with these sources of power is the size, weight and cost just to use the battery that runs on 1,000km on a charge.
LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) could also have a part in global freight rails in the coming years. It has a significantly lower cost in comparison to its crude oil prices. This could help save up on locomotives that use LNG. A potential switch to LNG could also be very similar to that when diesel was switched from steam back in the 1940's and 1950's. The resulting amount saved could also reach up to $1 million.
Hydrogen acts exactly like diesel does, however, but the exceptions are that it has a higher energy density and takes a shorter amount of time to refuel a tank - only 15 minutes. It's also possible to supplement the train with more tanks especially because weight and aerodynamics aren't much of an issue to run them.
The Coradia iLint train is extremely quiet - the engine doesn't seem to create any noise, other than a little whine and the only things louder than that were both the air brakes and squeaking wheels.
It's also based off Alstom's own diesel-type train but has an engine system that's alike the FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle). The wheels are controlled by an electric motor placed in the chassis, and there is a battery beside it that hoists power throughout the train. The hydrogen storage tanks are located above the cab, and fuel cells are found in the roof in the heart of the train.
It seems that hydrogen-powered trains are the only option at this time because diesel may eventually fade off and battery-powered trains won't go as far. They can only go up to 50km.
The new train model seems to have an advantage in other aspects since it's in FCV form, it also means that costs are lessened compared to those that run on diesel. The iLint's design is very simple, and that makes it beneficial in the future in case any parts break or need replacing/maintenance in the future. This allows it to be swapped out easily.
Alstom has also made the design of the train as simplistic as possible - the intention behind this is to show rail operators that they can switch out the diesel train without alterations on the train. The change they'll notice are the cheaper costs, quietened engine and the reduction of pollution. Train yards will also be required to set a hydrogen-filling station for the trains - just like the diesel trains have.
The electric motor also has better torque, and as a result, it cuts the energy requirements in half. The diesel-powered trains run at 1.2MW, but the hydrogen-powered ones would only run at half that consumption. Depending on how the hydrogen is sourced, it will cut out emission costs by 45 to 100%, as well.
The Coradia iLint. Credit: Alstom
Germany will have more of these hydrogen-powered trains running in the future with Alstom signing contracts with train companies that allow them to build 60 trains in 5 years' time.
The UK will also be going to use hydrogen-powered trains in the future since it cannot afford to switch to electric-powered trains. A train company named Abellio Greater Anglia has agreed to give over its commuter trains so they can be re-built as hydrogen trains and sent back to the UK.
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