Thermoelectric air conditioner for railways - modifications, results, prospects

The general situation with air conditioning for railways is reported. Results of air conditioning unit modification and trials are shown. The description of basic prototype subassembly developed at RIF Corp. was presented at the XIX International Conference on Thermoelectrics. The comparison with the basic prototype and improvements, concerning hot side liquid loop modification, water-to-air heat exchanger enhancement, and thermoelectric unit structure correction, are described. The results of laboratory tests and of running trials at Russian railways are reported. Economic evaluation is performed and commercial applicability for locomotive driver´s cabin air-conditioning is reported. Topical questions of air conditioner further modification are discussed. The applicability of thermoelectric air-conditioning for a passenger railway coach is suggested.