Analysis of rail potential and stray current in MVDC railway electrification system

Salman Aatif

•Haitao Hu1•Fezan Rafiq1,3•Zhengyou He1

Abstract In contrast to the conventional direct current railway electrification system(DC-RES),the medium voltage direct current(MVDC)-RES is considered promising for long-distance high-speed corridors.In the MVDC-RES,traction substations(TSSs)are placed much farther and train loads are much heavier than in the conventional DC-RES.Hence,the MVDC-RES brings a drastic change in catenary voltage,TSS spacing,and train loading,which affects rail potential and stray current.In this connection,this work performs some significant quantitative analysis of rail potential and stray current in the MVDC-RES environment.An MVDC simulation model is proposed and different grounding schemes are analyzed for a single-train and two TSSs scenario as well as for a multi-train multi-TSS scenario.According to the simulation and analysis,the maximum values of rail potential and stray current at MVDC-RES distances and the maximum safe distance between adjacent TSSs are determined.

Keywords Railway electrification·Medium voltage direct current(MVDC)railways·Rail potential·Stray current·Stray corrosion

1 Introduction

Railway systems have emerged as a key means of transportation since the nineteenth century.The modern highspeed traction railways are more fast,reliable,and environment-friendly means of transportation.For greater benefits,researchers are exploring new avenues of efficient and enhanced railway electrification operations.Inspired by the applications of high voltage direct current(HVDC)technology in conventional power transmission systems in recent history,some scholars have proposed the idea of medium voltage direct current(MVDC)railway electrification system(RES)for long-distance high-speed railways(HSRs).In this connection,the basic architecture,advantages,and voltage control schemes for MVDC railway are further discussed[1–3].As the MVDC-RES causes less reactance,the distance between the traction substations(TSSs)can be further increased;this brings the benefit of decreased capital and operational cost of the TSSs[4].Moreover,the catenary system becomes a continuous traction line and the train loads can be shared by all the TSSs in the system[5].

In DC railways,the running rail is used as a return conductor;the return current flowing toward the TSSs in the rails causes a potential difference between the rail and earth,which is known as track to earth voltage or rail potential.This voltage causes stray current to leak into the earth,which causes corrosion to the third party as well as to the railway’s own infrastructure[6].Stray current has a direct relationship to the distance between TSS and train load(load current),and is inversely proportional to rail-toearth resistance[7,8]:

whereIsis stray current,ILis rail current caused by the train load,lis the distance between the considered location and TSS,andRgis the rail-to-earth resistance.

In an MVDC-RES,the distance between adjacent TSSs is many folds(almost 25–35 times)as compared to the conventional urban DC railways[3,5].Similarly,the train load is also heavier(approximately 3–4 times)than conventional urban DC railways[2].However,the catenary voltage in the MVDC-RES is quite higher than in the conventional urban DC railways[4].The authors have discussed the stray current in MVDC-RES in[4];the aim of this paper is limited to the effectiveness of the integration topology of secondary energy sources for decreasing rail potential and stray current at mid-sections.It is unable to provide the information of stray current profile for different track lengths under different grounding schemes in a multi-train,multi-TSS scenario.Similarly in[9],authors have performed the analysis of rail potential and stray current for 9 kV system.However,the paper considered several other constraints,which may have restricted the full-scale analysis of rail potential and stray current.

According to the aforementioned discussion,there is of vital importance to quantify the rail potential and stray current in the MVDC-RES.In this regard,the proposed work presents a detailed analysis of rail potential and stray current in the MVDC-RES with different lengths of the traction lines,load scenarios,and grounding schemes.The main features of this paper include:(1)MVDC-RES environment,(2)rail potential and stray current under different grounding schemes,(3)proposed simulation platform for the analysis of rail potential and stray current,and(4)simulations for identifying safe operation distances between adjacent TSSs in MVDC railways.

2 Rail potential and stray current under different TSS grounding schemes

2.1 MVDC railway electrification system

The basic layout of an MVDC-RES is provided in Fig.1[2].To understand the real benefits of the DC technology in the MVDC-RES,the authors[4]have suggested a 24 kV electrification scheme.The TSSs consist of a transformer and multilevel AC–DC converters.The catenary system is the same as the one used in urban DC railways.The detailed architecture and advantages of the system are presented in[2,3].

Fig.1 The layout of MVDC railway electrification system

2.2 Rail potential and stray current

In a DC traction system,the return current from locomotives is fed back to the negative terminal of the TSS through the running rails,which causes rail potential and stray current.Higher values of rail potential cause electrocution,which is hazardous for humans as well as for animals in the vicinity of the track.For safety purposes,the maximum value of rail-to-earth voltage(Vrg)must be less than 90 V[10].The safe operating values of rail-to-earth voltage for different sections,i.e.,at TSSs,workshops,and along the track,are provided in[10].The stray current leaking from the rail moves within the earth toward the negative terminal(in grounded scheme)or toward the area of the track having lower potential(in floating rail scheme)[7].In both the cases,this stray current also flows through metallic objects within the earth specifically through buried pipelines that causes corrosion[11].It is also noteworthy that corrosion occurs at the anodic region of the buried pipelines:the region from where the current leaves the buried metallic objects and enters the earth again,as shown in Fig.2.To avoid corrosion,the average value of stray current(Is)must be less than 2.5 mA/m[11,12].

Fig.2 Earth grounded scheme in DC electrified railways

2.3 Traction substation grounding schemes in DC railways

The main objective of a grounding scheme in a DC-RES is to fulfill two mutually contradictory requirements:to minimize rail potential and to decrease the stray current,for the protection of humans and equipments[13].In the modern DC-RES,these requirements are met by integrating a combination of grounding schemes[13,14].Some of the common grounding schemes used in the DC traction system are grounded scheme,floating scheme(ungrounded scheme),and diode or thyristor grounded scheme.

In a grounded scheme,the negative terminal of the TSS is grounded without any intentional resistance as shown in

Fig.2.Such a scheme reduces rail potential;however,it increases the issue of corrosion as more stray current leaves the rail in the presence of earth potential.This stray current flows within the earth,parallel to traction line,toward the grounding location of the TSS.However,the scheme causes higher stray current,but reduces the rail potential,which that lowers the risk of electric shock and damage to the equipment at TSSs.

In the floating scheme,the negative terminal of the TSS is not grounded and left floating.The stray current leaves the rail at a higher rail-to-ground voltage(near the train)and reenters the rail at some lower potential section of the track as shown in Fig.3.

Fig.3 Floating scheme in DC electrified railways

Such a scheme reduces the stray current up to one-fourth produced in the grounded scheme[15],although the scheme reduces stray current while increases the rail potential,more specifically near the TSSs[13].The situation may become more hazardous if a greater number of trains turn into acceleration mode simultaneously.

The above-stated drawback of the floating system can be ratified through a diode or thyristor grounding scheme[13].In a diode grounding scheme,the negative terminal of the TSS is grounded through a diode as shown in Fig.4.

Fig.4 Diode grounded scheme in DC electrified railways

Under normal rail potential,the diode works as an off switch,and the rail is insulated from the ground;hence,the scheme becomes a floating one.Conversely,if the rail potential increases to a critical higher level as compared to ground,the diode will turn to on to ground the negative terminal of the TSS.This causes the stray current to flow through the earth until the rail potential returns to the safe value.

Analysis of rail potential and stray current in conventional DC railways has been extensively studied[16–19].However,their behavior and quantitative analysis in new MVDC-RES requires an in-depth analysis on a realistic simulation model at an MVDC voltage level under different grounding schemes.For this purpose,a simulation model is proposed and discussed in next section.

3 Simulation model for rail potential and stray current

In[20],a fixed and a variable traction resistance models are presented.The fixed resistance model can only provide rail potential and stray current results for static train locations,where the variable resistance model can provide results for moving train scenarios as well.In[21],a modified converter circuit is used to achieve a variable rail network resistance circuit.It is also noteworthy that the train load is a constant power load with dynamic tractive effort.Hence,the stable operation with a variable resistance network is also a challenge[22–24].Modeling of a variable resistance network can be achieved through a combination of dependent voltage source and resistance ramp function;however,using such a scheme with train load models also brings stability issues.

The simulation model proposed in this paper consists of a fixed resistance network.However,it can perform the simulations for moving train scenarios as well.Each resistor(catenary resistance,rail resistance,and grounding resistance)is controlled with a physical switch,and operated through a program.The proposed simulation model provides the profile of rail potential and stray current for static as well as moving train loads.Moreover,the proposed traction resistance network does not have any dependent sources,converters,or other active devices as used in previous methods;hence,it contributes no stability issues in the system.Figure 5 shows the simulation model used for the measurement of rail potential and stray current in this work.

To perform the moving train simulations,the model consists of several switches to simulate the catenary network,track network,and grounding network.In Fig.5,RcjandScjrepresent catenary resistance and catenary switches respectively;RkjandSkjtrack resistance and track switches;RgjandSgjgrounding resistance and its switches.Each resistance and corresponding switch represents a unit length(km)section of the traction line.For better understanding,a 5 km traction line is provided in Fig.5.The complete journey of a moving train starting from TSS1 and ending at TSS2 can be achieved by the proper operation of switches as mentioned in Table 1.The stray current and rail potential at anyjth location along the traction line can be easily obtained through the simulations by considering an ampere meter in series,and a voltmeter across the grounding resistance at the desired location,respectively.For understanding the working of simulation model,a case study for finding rail potential and stray current at midsection of the traction line of Fig.5 is conducted.For monitoring stray current at mid-section,an ampere meter must be connected in series atRg3andRg8.Similarly,the rail potential at mid-section during the whole journey of the train can be monitored by considering a voltmeter acrossRg3andRg8.It is noteworthy that the state of grounding switchSgjmust be reciprocal to the corresponding track switchSkj.If there is a train journey from left to right,at time intervals T0–T2 from Table 1,the load currentIL2flows through mid-section.Hence,the amperemeter and voltmeter atRg8provide the values of stray current and rail potential at mid-section.At time interval T3 to T5,load currentIL1flows through mid-section,and the amperemeter and voltmeter atRg3provide the information of stray current and rail potential at mid-section.Modification in the simulation model for grounded and ungrounded schemes and relations for the verification of the simulation model are discussed in preceding subsections.

Table 2 Parameters used in simulation model

Fig.5 Simulation model used for the analysis of rail potential and stray current

Table.1 The switching sequence for proper operation of the simulation model in Fig.5

3.1 Grounded scheme simulation model

The grounding connections mentioned through dotted lines in Fig.5 must be considered in case of grounded traction scheme.The simulation model used in Fig.5 provides accurate information of the stray current and rail potential for an ideal grounded system.The estimated value of the stray current can be obtained through Eq.(2)[15]:

whereIsjis the stray current at thejth location;ILis the load current in the rails;lis the distance between the considered location and the TSS;Rkis the resistance of the track per unit length;andRgis the rail-to-ground resistance.The stray current obtained through Eq.(2)is the total stray current entering the earth at the considered location;this stray current is further divided according to the distance from the two TSSs and flows toward the TSS accordingly.As the train locates at the mid-section and the distance from both the TSSs remains the same,the total stray current obtained from Eq.(2)can be divided by 2.

3.2 Floating scheme simulation model

In case of an ungrounded or floating scheme,there is no grounding connection at the TSS.Conversely,to the grounded traction scheme,the phenomena of stray current and rail potential are more complex in floating traction system.The stray current and rail potential at anyjth location along the traction line in floating scheme can be estimated by[12]

wherelcis the characteristic length of the rail and can be evaluated through Eq.(5);Rcis the characteristic resistance of the running rail and can be evaluated through Eq.(6):

3.3 Simulation model for train load

The aim of this work is to analyze the full-scale or maximum possible rail potential and stray current.The considered train load is moving with the maximum speed,having maximum tractive effort,and thus utilizing maximum power throughout the journey.This makes the constant power train load a perfect selection for the analysis.The layout of analog constant power load used in this work is shown in Fig.6[24],wherePrefis the reference power;ILis the load current or train current;VLis the load voltage;andI*Lis the reference given to the dependent current source.A similar train load is used where the maximum train load is required[2–4,9].

Fig.6 Layout for constant power train load model

4 Simulations

Simulations are performed to analyze rail potential and stray current in an MVDC-RES environment.In the conventional high-speed AC-RES,the distance between the adjacent TSSs is usually 50 km.As in the MVDC-RES the losses are less,the distance between the TSSs can be increased.For simulation purpose,the analysis is performed on a 50 km track(similar to current AC corridors),and a 75 km track(similar to prospective MVDC-RES corridors)[3].Moreover,for detailed analysis,simulations are performed for both grounded and floating electrification schemes in the single as well as multi-train scenario.The parameters used in the simulation model are listed in Table 2.

Table 3 Validation of stray currents

4.1 Grounded scheme simulations for 50 km and 75 km track

An extended model of Fig.5 is used in this section for simulating 50 km and 75 km tracks.The switching mechanism is intelligently controlled to simulate the moving train scenarios.The stray current and rail potential profiles are analyzed at specified locations,i.e.,at the mid-section and at one-fourth of the section,for the complete journey of the train.If the maximum value of the stray current at any location for the complete journey of the train is less than the maximum allowable average of 2.5 A/km,then the average value must always be lower.

4.1.1 50 km grounded track

Figure 7 depicts the result of rail potential at specific locations,i.e.,at the one-fourth and mid-section of the traction line,for the complete journey of the train.In both cases,rail potential is less than the maximum allowable limit of safe rail operation.

The results of stray current at the one-fourth(12.5 km)of the section and mid-section(25 km),for the complete journey of the train on 50 km grounded track,are shown in Fig.8.It reveals that the stray current reaches its maximum value when the train reaches the location of interest.

Fig.7 Rail potential at the mid-section and one-fourth of the section

Fig.8 Stray current monitored for 50 km grounded track

4.1.2 75 km grounded track

The rail potential at the one-fourth of the section(19 km)and mid-section(37.5 km)for the complete journey of the train is shown in Fig.9.Results reveal that the rail potential at the mid-section increases up to 77 V,approaching the maximum safe limits of 90 V.It can be concluded that increasing the distance further between the adjacent TSSs can cause risk of electric shock to humans and animals near the traction line.

Fig.9 Rail potential monitored at specified locations on the 75 km grounded track

The stray currents profile at a distance of the one-fourth of the track(19 km)and at the mid-section(37.5 km),for the complete journey of the train,is provided in Fig.10.The results reveal that the maximum stray current at midsection is still less than that of the average safe value of 2.5 A/km.Although the current is less than the maximum limit for the case of a single-train operation between adjacent TSSs,two or more trains can increase that value to hazardous levels.

Fig.10 Stray current monitored at specified locations on the 75 km grounded track

4.1.3 Verification of simulations

Simulation results for stray current and rail potential depicted for the grounded system can be verified through Eq.(2).The verification is performed for complete profile of stray current at the one-fourth of 50 km(12.5 km).Figure 11 shows a simplified version of Fig.5.

Fig.12 Track current I2 at the 12.5th km for train journey in area A

Fig.13 Track current I1 at the 12.5th km for train journey in area B

Given the train direction from left to right,initially when the train is in area A,the track currentI2is the only current that causes rail potential and stray current at the one-fourth distance or at the 12.5th km resistor.I2can be monitored through an ammeter Aawhich can be used in Eq.(2)for the estimation of stray current at the 12.5th km.As the train continues its journey and enters in area B,the track currentI1now causes rail potential and stray current at the 12.5th km.CurrentI1can be monitored through ammeter Ab.I1can be used in Eq.(2)for the estimation of stray current at the 12.5th km of the track for the train in area B.The portions of track currentsI2andI1which cause stray current at the 12.5th km are provided in Figs.12 and 13,respectively.

Fig.11 A simplified model of Fig.5 for the verification of stray current(50 km grounded track)

Considering the values of track currents from the above figures,the stray current at the 12.5th km is estimated through Eq.(2),for the train positioned at 5,12.5,25,and 40 km.The results are compared with the simulated values of Fig.8,as shown in Table 3.It can be observed from Table 3 that the estimated values are consistent with the simulation results.

4.2 Floating scheme simulations for 50 km and 75 km tracks

As discussed earlier,the phenomena of stray current and rail potential are more complex in a floating scheme.For simulations,50 km and 75 km tracks are considered,which represent the distances between adjacent TSSs for 25 kV AC-RES and 24 kV MVDC-RES,respectively.

4.2.1 50 km floating track

Simulations are performed to find the rail potential and stray current at the one-fourth(12.5 km)and at mid-section(25th km)for the complete journey of the train.The results of the rail potential and stray current are presented in Figs.14 and 15,respectively.Unlike the grounded scheme,the rail potential and stray current now show negative values also.This is mainly because there is no intentional grounding at TSSs and the stray current follows the path of lower potential.

Fig.14 Rail potential profile at specified locations for the 50 km floating track

Fig.15 Stray current profile at specified locations for the 50 km floating track

Fig.16 Rail potential profile at specified locations for the 75 km floating track

4.2.2 75 km floating track

Simulations are also performed for the proposed lengths of the MVDC-RES.The results of rail potential and stray current at the one-fourth(19 km)of the section and at midsection(37.5 km)are provided in Figs.16 and 17.The results reveal that the values of stray current and rail potential for floating scheme are much lower as compared to the values obtained for grounded scheme track.

4.2.3 Verification of simulations

Fig.17 Stray current profile at specified locations for the 75 km floating track

The simulation results of the rail potential and stray current depicted for the floating track can be verified through Eqs.(3)and(4),respectively.The verification is only performed for the complete profile of stray current at the one-fourth(19th km)of the 75 km track.Figure 18 shows a simplified version of Fig.5.

Given the train direction from left to right,initially when the train is in area A,the track currentI2is responsible for rail potential and stray current at the one-fourth of the distance or at the 19th km resistor.I2can be monitored through an ammeter Aaand further used in Eq.(3)for the estimation of stray current at 19th km.As the train enters area B,the track currentI1will now be responsible for rail potential and stray current at the 19th km.I1can be monitored through an ammeter Aband used in Eq.(3)for the estimation of stray current at the 19th km of the track.The portions of track currentsI2andI1that cause stray current at the 19th km are shown in Figs.19 and 20.

Considering the values of current from the above figures,the stray current can be estimated at the 19th km through Eq.(3)for the train positioned at 10,19,30,and 60 km.In Table 4,the results are compared with the simulated values.It can be observed from Table 4 that estimated values agree with the simulation results.

Table 4 Validation of stray current for floating track simulation

Fig.19 Track current I2 at the 19th km for train journey in area A

Fig.20 Track current I1 at the 19th km for train journey in area B

4.3 Simulations for 300 km multi-train multi-TSS scenario

The stray current in a grounded track increases to its maximum level when the train reaches at the mid-section between two adjacent TSSs.However,the behaviors of the stray current and rail potential must not be the same in the case of a multi-train multi-TSS scenario.For detailed analysis,simulations are performed for both grounded and floating schemes.To consider a more realistic simulation model,a 300 km track is considered,which resembles the newly build Chengdu—Chongqing long-distance highspeed line.Moreover,as per the timetable/schedule of the considered line,10 active trains are considered in simulations.

Fig.18 A simplified model of Fig.5 for verification of stray current for the 75 km floating track

4.3.1 300 km multi-train multi-TSS grounded track scheme

For simulation,a 300 km grounded track is considered,which has five TSSs each at a distance of 75 km from each other.Ten trains are equally distributed,each at a distance of 30 km from the other.The combination of TSSs and trains is provided in Fig.21.

Fig.21 Simulation scenario for a 300 km grounded track

The obtained stray current results are provided in Fig.22,which is observed from 60 different locations along the track.It is found that the maximum stray current along the track is not more than 2 A/km,which is less than the averaged allowable value of 2.5 A/km.It is also noteworthy that the measured current is the total current leaking through the considered grounding resistance that further has to divide and flow toward TSSs.This division will depend upon the distance between the TSS and concerned track location;the more the distance between the TSS and train location,the less the stray current in that direction will be.

Fig.22 Stray current profile for the 300 km grounded track

The simulated rail potential is provided in Fig.23.Although the stray current is within the limits,the rail potential slightly increases from the maximum limit of 90 V/km.Practically,a combination of grounded and floating scheme can be achieved through diode or thyristor grounding,which can considerably decrease the rail potential.

Fig.23 Rail potential profile for the 300 km grounded track

4.3.2 300 km multi-train multi-TSS floating scheme

Simulation scenario for a floating scheme is given in Fig.24.The model is same as discussed in previous section,where the only difference is that the ground terminals are removed.

Fig.24 Simulation scenario for the 300 km floating track

The simulation result of stray current is provided in Fig.25.Locations of TSSs and trains are same as discussed in previous section.It can be observed that the stray current is now reduced to a maximum value of about 1.5 A/km.

Fig.25 Stray current profile for 300 km floating track

The profile of rail potential is shown in Fig.26,revealing a considerable decrease in rail potential for floating scheme.The maximum value of rail potential is approximately-70 V which is less than that of safe limits of-90 V.

Fig.26 Rail potential profile for the 300 km floating track

4.4 Safe operation distances between adjacent TSSs in MVDC-RES

Considering the constraints of rail potential and stray current,analysis is performed to determine the maximum safe distance between adjacent TSSs.For simulations,two trains,each of 8 MW,are placed at equal distance from each other as well as from the TSS.Simulations are performed with different track lengths in the grounded and floating schemes.For the grounded scheme,the results of rail potential and stray current are provided in Figs.27 and 28,respectively.The rail potential profile in grounded scheme depicts safe results for distances up to 70 km.For the track lengths of 80 km and 90 km,the rail potential reaches to hazardous levels.Unlike rail potential,stray current remains under safe limits even for the 90 km track.

Fig.27 Rail potential with different track lengths in the grounded scheme

Fig.28 Stray current for different track lengths in the grounded scheme

Fig.29 Rail potential with different track lengths in the floating scheme

Simulations results of rail potential and stray current for different tracks under the floating scheme are illustrated in Figs.29 and 30,respectively.Rail potential under the floating scheme depicts safe results for track lengths of up to 80–85 km.Similarly,the stray current remains under safe values for the track lengths of up to 90 km.

Fig.30 Stray current with different track lengths in the floating scheme

5 Conclusion

The main purpose of this study is to analyze the behavior of rail potential and stray current in the MVDC railway electrification environment.A simulation model is proposed to find the profiles of rail potential and stray current in stationary and moving train scenarios.Simulations are performed for both the grounded and floating schemes.In the moving train scenario,the results of rail potential and stray current are monitored at different locations for the complete journey of the train.The results reveal that the rail potential and stray current change drastically with changing locations of the moving train.Simulations are also performed in a multi-train multi-substation scenario on a 300 km traction line,with TSSs spaced at a distance of 75 km from each other.The results demonstrate that the rail potential and stray current remains under safe values in the floating scheme;however,the rail potential in the grounded scheme increases up to the maximum threshold level.The results obtained are theoretically verified for the estimation of stray current.Results also indicate that train location is an important factor when analyzing a multi-train multi-substation scenario.A single train at the mid-section can cause more stray current as compared to the two trains near the substation.Furthermore,for the guidance of MVDC-RES projects,simulations are performed to obtain the results of rail potential and stray current for different track lengths.As a result,in the grounded scheme,a distance of 70 km can be considered as the maximum safe distance between adjacent TSSs,whereas in the floating scheme,a distance of 80 km can be considered as a safe distance between adjacent TSSs.

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