Sanding System

What Is a Sanding System?

In railway operations, maintaining wheel–rail adhesion at an optimum level is critical for both safety and performance. Sanding systems play a vital role in enhancing traction, braking efficiency, and overall operational reliability, particularly under challenging conditions such as wet, icy, or contaminated rails.

Kumlama sistemi genel görünümü.

Sanding operation starts after the receiving blowcommand from the vehicle. There are two ways of sanding command; automatic command from the WSP system or manually pushing button command from the vehicle control panel. After receiving the sanding command, KKS-100 starts running with both compressor and solenoid.

At the routingunit, the pressured air exiting from the compressor come across with sand which flows from the sanding tank by the way of batching unit. The pressured air and sand mixture exits from the blasting unit pass the sanding hoses. Lastly, the mixture is being blownto rail and wheel intersection by the nozzle.

“EN 61373 SHOCK AND VIBRATION TEST CERTIFICATED. MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO EN 15085 WELDING MANUFACTURING STANDARD”

Kumlama sistemi çalışma şeması.
Kumlama sistemi tankı.

Sand Tank

One of the most important issues in sanding systems is the design and production of storage volumes with the correct geometry and sealing level. Sand tanks are uniquely designed for every project according to customers' requirements. Materials are chosen for their high wear resistance against sand-pressured air, such as aluminium alloy or stainless steel. All openings, such as sand filling caps, batching openings, sensor connections, indicator glasses, etc., are insulated against air and moisture. Thus, the sand is prevented from becoming lumpy due to moisture. The tank geometry is designed using various methods, considering system limitations;

  • There must be no geometries inside the tank that will cause the sand to remain stationary. For this reason, the most important point is that the tank has a defined slope.
  • This slope cannot be under 36 degrees.

ParametreDeğer
MaterialA15754/ A16082 / AISI 304
Mounting PlaceUnder Frame
Mounting TypeScrew
Tank VolumeOptional (14... 30 liters)
Safety ClassIP65
Compatible Filling TypesTop Filling Flap / Lateral Filling Flap / Both
Güç45W (S3)
Earthing TypeScrew Earthing
Kumlama sisteminin dozajlama ve yönlendirme sistemi.

Batching and Routing System

The batching and routing system consists of 3 subcomponents:

  1. Batching Unit,
  2. Solenoid,
  3. Routing Unit,

The batching system, which is directly connected to the sand tank, allows the desired amount of sand to reach the routing unit while the sand is passing through the batching unit. The amount of sand to be blown can be adjusted from 400 to 1200 gr/min by means of the adjustable solenoid.

Sand arrives in the routing system after being dispensed from the batching unit. The sand from the batching unit and the compressed air from the compressor are combined and transmitted to the nozzle through the distribution hoses.


ParametreDeğer
Sand Flow600-1000 g/30san ± 7% adjustable in range and tolerance
Operating pressure1bar
Batching MethodBatching with solenoid (Electro-mechanical adjustment)+[@Parameter] IP65
Safety ClassIP65
Useable Max Speed160km/h
Operating voltage24V DC (36, 72 and 110V DC options are also available)
Power45W
STANDARDS
Sand Quality and SizeBN 918224
Compressed Air QualityISO 8573 Particle class: 7, Density <= 10mg / m, Humidity: 2
Operating temperatureEN 50155
Socket TypeEN 175301-803
Kumlama sistemi kompresörü.

Compressor

Oil-free compressors offer significant advantages in terms of lifetime and mechanical properties. The required pressurized air is supplied by the oil-free compressor, which has been proven and utilized in numerous railway projects for sanding systems. Thanks to its innovative technology, it provides continuous service with minimal maintenance requirements. The specifications of the compact oil-free compressor are as follows:

ParametreDeğer
Type of fluidAir
Flow80 1/min
Max. Operating pressure1500 mbar
Operating pressure1000 mbar
MotorDC
Nominal Voltage24V DC
Safety ClassIP56
Power250W
Weight3,8kg
STANDARDSEN 175301-803
Compressed Air QualityISO 8573 Particle class: 7, Density <= 10mg / m, Humidity: 2
Kumlama sistemi dış kum dolum kapağı.

Exterior Filling Flap

Exterior filling flap, located on the vehicle's sidewall, provides the opportunity for quick and practical sand filling during maintenance. The sealing elements placed on the filling flap and in the sand passage pipe prevent any interaction between the environment and the stored sand. Air intake is prevented by a spring-pressed system at the sand filling pipe's mouth. By providing insulation, it eliminates the possibility of sand clumping.

The flap features an open-and-remove system with a square-head, spring-loaded lock, which allows it to be closed without the need for a key after unlocking.

An LED signal lamp, located on the filling flap, lights up when the sand level drops below 35%. The lamp can be easily seen and detected from the outside without the need to access the tank or the driver's panel.

ParameterValue
MaterialA16082
Filling MethodRefilling with pistol
Mounting TypeScrew
Lock TypeSpring Lock
Lock Head8mm square head
Filling Inlet ProtectionSpring forced and Rubber
Level Indicator LampGreen/Red/White Led lamp
Safety ClassIP 66
Kumlama sistemi nozulu.

Sanding Nozzle

Sanding via the nozzle increases the amount of sand passing between the wheel and the rail by 70% compared to sanding using only the hose. Nozzles produced with blowing outlet diameters of 19-25mm are the most effective sand transporting method between the wheel and the rail.

One of the most important aspects of the system is applying the compressed air-sand mixture between the wheel and rail at the correct angle. The nozzle is positioned at a 15° angle to the intersection of the wheel and rail.

Sand with an appropriate flow rate maintains the friction coefficient at the required level by remaining between the rail and the wheel.

Special brackets, which are designed for each project, provide both positional stability and easy maintenance.

Through the heating system added to the nozzle, uninterrupted service is provided in all climate and environmental conditions. The heater maintains the desired temperature in sections of the nozzle with the heat it emits through the sanding opening.


ParameterValue
MaterialA16082/AISI304
Hose Type and DiameterSanding Hose
Hose Diameter19mm
Heater TypeCartridge resistance
Heater Power50-100watt
Operating voltage24V DC (36, 72 and 110V DC options are also available) IP67
Safety ClassIP67
STANDARDS
Hose Fire ProtectionEN 45545
Electronic HardwareEN 50155
Kumlama sistemi ayarlanabilir seviye ölçüm sensörü.

Adjustable Level Measurement Sensor

The sanding system has two different digital sand level indicators: one at the exterior filling flap and one in front of the driver. Both indicators receive sand level information from the capacitive level measurement sensor in the tank.

The sensor warns if the sand level decreases below the critical level, which is specified according to customer choice. The sensor's changeable positioning option allows for the measurement of sand levels from various heights.

ParameterValue
Sensor TypeCapacitive level sensor
Operating Voltage Range/td>10V... 30V DC (36, 72 and 110V DC options are also available)
StandardIEC 60947-5-2
Safety ClassIP67
Operating Temperature Range-25... 85°C
Sensor DimensionsØ 30 x 65.5 mm
Sensor Housing MaterialA15754 / A16082
Positioning3 different positioning