Numerical study on the anti-snow performance of deflectors in the bogie region of a high-speed train using the discrete phase model

Abstract

In this paper, the three-dimensional unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations with an RNG double-equation turbulence model and a discrete phase model were used for the investigation of snow accumulation on the bogie of a high-speed train. Two kinds of deflector plates, one installed at the front end and the other at the rear end of the bogie, were proposed to reduce snow accumulation. The accuracy of the CFD methodology was validated against wind tunnel tests. The results showed that high-speed air will impact the plates where snow particles get accumulated. The snow covering on the bogie rarely drifts back into the bogie region with air. The amount of accumulating snow in the optimum models is reduced by 50.58% on average as compared to those in the original models. At the rear end of the bogie, the inclined deflector plate reduced snow accumulation by up to 10.91% compared to the vertical deflector plate.