Open Access

ARTICLE

Numerical Analysis of Ice Accretion under Varying Conditions in the Pantograph Region of High-Speed Trains

Xiulong Yao¹, Mengge Yu^1,*, Jiali Liu², Qian Zhang¹

1 College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
2 CRRC Qingdao Sifang Co., Ltd., Qingdao, 266111, China

* Corresponding Author: Mengge Yu. Email:

Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing 2025, 21(11), 2795-2814. https://doi.org/10.32604/fdmp.2025.072708

Received 02 September 2025; Accepted 05 November 2025; Issue published 01 December 2025

Abstract

High-speed trains operating in freezing rain are highly susceptible to severe ice accretion in the pantograph region, which compromises both power transmission efficiency and dynamic performance. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon, an Euler–Euler multiphase flow model was employed to simulate droplet impingement and collection on the pantograph surface, while a glaze-ice formation model incorporating wall film dynamics was used to capture the subsequent growth of ice. The effects of key parameters—including liquid water content, ambient temperature, train velocity, and droplet diameter—on the amount and morphology of ice were systematically investigated. The results show that ice accumulation intensifies with increasing liquid water content, decreasing ambient temperature, and rising train speed. In contrast, larger droplet diameters reduce the overall ice mass but promote localized accretion on major structural elements. This behavior arises because larger droplets, with greater inertia, are less susceptible to entrainment by airflow into the pantograph’s base region. During extended operation, substantial ice buildup develops on the pantograph head and upper and lower arms, severely impairing current collection from the overhead line and hindering the pantograph’s lifting and lowering motions.

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Keywords

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