【Ten Years of Great Progress in Chemical Engineering Technology】086 – The world’s most powerful hydrogen-powered locomotive was produced between 2008 and 2023

As a green, efficient, and sustainable new energy source, hydrogen is not only abundant and environmentally friendly with low carbon emissions, but it also enables the large-scale utilization of renewable energy. It represents the best option for achieving substantial and deep decarbonization in various fields such as transportation, chemicals, metallurgy, and construction. “The Ningdong locomotive fully embodies the concept of green and low-carbon development by upgrading its main power system from a diesel engine coupled with DC traction motors to a combination of fuel cells, hydrogen fuel hybrid systems, and AC traction motors. Based on the Dongfeng 4B locomotives, which are widely available in the market, this project conducts research on reconstruction technologies to serve as a model for the green transformation of diesel locomotives.

As early as 2021, CRRC Datong, in its capacity as the developer, designer, and manufacturer, joined forces with Ningxia Ningdong Railway Co., Ltd., Zhongneng Hydrogen Power Technology Co., Ltd., and Beijing Haijin New Energy Technology Research Center to establish the Xichuang Hydrogen Power Technology Collaboration Alliance. This alliance initiated the development of hybrid locomotives powered by hydrogen fuel cells and lithium iron phosphate batteries, with the aim of upgrading the existing diesel locomotives on the Ningdong Railway to hydrogen-powered versions. It is understood that this project saw the four companies affiliated with the Xichuang Hydrogen Power Technology Collaboration Alliance hold their first technical meeting in May 2021 to set goals; a contract for collaborative development was signed in November of the same year. The locomotive was manufactured in August 2022, and debugging tests were completed in March 2023. The first hydrogen-powered locomotive of CRRC, the \"Ningdong\" model, which has been introduced this time, incorporates new technologies such as recycled materials and integrated new energy power systems. It boasts an excellent power system configuration and long range; its advantages include high performance, the ability to expand power as needed, multiple levels of protection, safe and reliable operation, cleanliness and efficiency, as well as significant economic benefits. It represents a milestone-like innovation in the application of hydrogen energy in the field of rail transit equipment.

270kg hydrogen storage capacity! CRRC’s first hydrogen-powered locomotive, the “Ningdong” model, was officially rolled off the production line on June 15, 2023, at 15:11. According to a report from HydrogenFuture.net on June 15, CRRC held a grand ceremony in Datong, Shanxi, to mark the completion of production of this first hydrogen-powered locomotive. As a key enterprise under China CRRC, CRRC Datong focuses on the research and development as well as manufacturing of high-end rail transit equipment. It takes low-carbon environmental protection and energy efficiency as guiding principles for its technological development, and has successively developed and mastered technologies such as permanent magnet direct-drive locomotives, hydrogen-powered locomotives, and electrified road transportation systems. The company is committed to providing users with green, safe, comfortable, convenient, and intelligent transportation services and travel experiences. The “Ningdong” hydrogen-powered locomotive, which has been put into service this time, is the first hydrogen-powered locomotive in China to be developed through a green and energy-efficient upgrade from an internal combustion engine locomotive; it is also the hydrogen-powered locomotive with the highest installed power capacity in the world. The delivery of this locomotive will enable the establishment of a platform for the retrofitting and upgrading of diesel locomotives using new energy sources, as well as for modularization and standardization; it also introduces a new model for the application of new energy technologies in rail transportation equipment. As early as 2021, CRRC Datong, in its capacity as the developer, designer, and manufacturer, joined forces with Ningxia Ningdong Railway Co., Ltd., Zhongneng Hydrogen Power Technology Co., Ltd., and Beijing Haijin New Energy Technology Research Center to establish the Xichuang Hydrogen Power Technology Collaboration Alliance. This alliance initiated the development of hybrid locomotives powered by hydrogen fuel cells and lithium iron phosphate batteries, with the aim of upgrading the existing diesel locomotives on the Ningdong Railway to hydrogen-powered versions. It is understood that this project saw the four companies affiliated with the Xichuang Hydrogen Power Technology Collaboration Alliance hold their first technical meeting in May 2021 to set goals; a contract for collaborative development was signed in November of the same year. The locomotive was manufactured in August 2022, and debugging tests were completed in March 2023. The first hydrogen-powered locomotive of CRRC, the \"Ningdong\" model, which has been introduced this time, incorporates new technologies such as recycled materials and integrated new energy power systems. It boasts an excellent power system configuration and long range; its advantages include high performance, the ability to expand power as needed, multiple levels of protection, safe and reliable operation, cleanliness and efficiency, as well as significant economic benefits. It represents a milestone-like innovation in the application of hydrogen energy in the field of rail transit equipment. As a green, efficient, and sustainable new energy source, hydrogen is not only abundant and environmentally friendly with low carbon emissions, but it also enables the large-scale utilization of renewable energy. It represents the best option for achieving substantial and deep decarbonization in various fields such as transportation, chemicals, metallurgy, and construction. “The Ningdong locomotive fully embodies the concept of green and low-carbon development by upgrading its main power system from a diesel engine coupled with DC traction motors to a combination of fuel cells, hydrogen fuel hybrid systems, and AC traction motors. Based on the Dongfeng 4B locomotives, which are widely available in the market, this project conducts research on reconstruction technologies to serve as a model for the green transformation of diesel locomotives. “The power ratio of the fuel cell to the lithium-ion battery in the Ningdong locomotive is 1.65. It is equipped with the world’s most powerful 800kW hydrogen fuel cell system used in rail transport; its hydrogen storage system utilizes Type III tanks. Through advanced integration techniques involving multiple large-capacity tanks and stacks for hydrogen supply, a maximum hydrogen storage capacity of 270 kg is achieved. Taking into account the actual application scenarios of customers, the theoretical operating time can reach up to 190 hours, sufficient to meet the requirements of pulling 5,000-ton trains on straight tracks. It is understood that the \"Ningdong\" locomotive features a series of modular and platform-based design elements; its hydrogen fuel system and hydrogen storage system both have expansion capabilities. The power lithium batteries can work with both lithium carbonate and lithium iron phosphate batteries, and they also offer further expansion possibilities, enabling them to meet the requirements for different wheelbase powers and tractive forces up to 2000kW. In addition, in-depth research and verification have been carried out focusing on aspects such as the locomotive’s ability to start at low temperatures, multi-module integrated control, and high-voltage DC/DC modules in the isolation compartment, to provide a solid guarantee for the reliable operation of the locomotive. With safety as its top priority, and drawing on the safety measures used in hydrogen-powered vehicles while taking into account the characteristics of the rail transit industry, CRRC Datong has conducted tests and validations focusing on high-temperature protection, leak detection, high/low pressure alerts, safe design of hydrogen refueling ports, fault monitoring, and multiple layers of protective measures, all to ensure the safe operation of the hydrogen system and the locomotive.

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