Substantiating the Choice of Methodology of Calculating Total Heat Inputs in a Railway Crane Cabin

The study analyses the most common methods of calculation of heat inputs into a railway crane driver’s cabin for the correct determination of the climate system heat load. The ways of heat supply to the cabin due to the heat conductivity of multilayered walls from external air infiltration, the driver, illumination, electrical equipment, and solar radiation have been considered. One of the objectives of the study is a detailed analysis and a selection of a rational method to calculate heat supplies from solar radiation as the main input most contributing to the total heat input. To implement the task, the most common methodologies of solar radiation calculation have been described and thoroughly analyzed; the most accurate of these has been recommended. The method of N.N. Bogoslovsky (considering the side of the horizon and solar radiation changes during the day) can be recommended for automated calculations by Excel or Python as well as for the primary identification of «in-depth» model calculations by ANSYS Fluent. The analysis of calculation results of various heat supplies has shown that the highest amount of heat from solar radiation penetrates the cabin not only through translucent barriers but also through massive multilayered walls due to the increase of their heat conductivity when heated, which comprises around 80 % of the total heat input. Side walls have the highest solar radiation throughput capacity due to the large surface area (46 % of total heat input) as well as the front wall (35 %) due to the lower number of layers of heat-insulating materials compared to side walls. Correct calculation of components of thermal balance helps to determine accurately the capacity of the designed climate system of the cabin, which ensures optimal conditions at the railway crane driver’s workplace.