Objective Whether a train air compressor can output sufficient air is directly related to train operational safety, especially under conditions where some compressors are faulty. However, due to safety concerns and resource costs, it is almost impossible to conduct tests under extreme operating conditions on actual service lines. How to provide verification results with sufficient engineering confidence without fully reproducing real operating conditions is the main challenge that needs addressing in this study, and thus investigation is carried out.

Method An indirect verification method combining simulation and testing is proposed. First, through simulation analysis with given parameters, the performance boundaries of the air compressor under extreme operating conditions on actual service lines are determined. Second, based on these results, a simplified operating condition executable on a straight track is designed, and simulation predictions are obtained. Finally, the compressor performance level under the simplified operating condition is verified through a simple single test conducted on a test line.

Result & Conclusion  Test line results show that the measured air compressor working rate (67.36%) is lower than the simulation-predicted value (67.70%). Uncertainty analysis confirms the reliability of the results and verifies the conservativeness of the simulation model. It is therefore concluded that, under actual service line conditions, the redundancy in air compressor capacity design meets the requirements.