Numerical investigation on the heat dissipation of phase change materials used in the high-speed train brake system

Abstract

The massive heat dissipation demands of the brake system in high-speed trains pose a significant obstacle to achieving higher operation speeds. Phase change material has attracted considerable attention in various fields due to their exceptional heat dissipation capabilities, yet their utilization in the brake system of high-speed trains remains unexplored. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of phase change material application in the brake system of high-speed train. Specifically, in Case A, the introduction of phase change material resulted in a notable 21% decrease in the average temperature and a remarkable 40% reduction in the maximum temperature difference within the brake system. The latent heat of the phase change material plays a crucial role in maintaining a substantial temperature differential between the cooling components and discs, thereby enhancing heat flux in the brake system. Phase change materials exhibit superior cooling performance compared to traditional air cooling methods in the brake system. To expedite the cooling process of phase change material and facilitate its transition from liquid to solid, an optimized brake system structure utilizing phase change material was proposed. This optimized design holds promise in enhancing the overall heat dissipation efficiency of the high-speed train brake system.