Thermal and Airflow Test Chamber (CETA)

Description

Thermiques & Aérauliques train The Industrial Technicentre at Romilly sur Seine was originally founded in 1874 by the Compagnie de l’Est. Today it is one of the most important of the SNCF Technicentres. Located at 120 km from Paris and 40 km from Troyes, it specialises in maintaining and converting passenger coaches and, increasingly, those of high-speed trains (TGV). In 1989, given the extent of the conversion operations carried out on modern rolling stock for which it is responsible (TGV, TEOZ, etc.)

The Technicentre recognised the need for a test facility to validate temperature control parameters by simulating outside climatic conditions and the presence of passengers and crew on board. This new facility, which goes by the name of C.E.T.A. (Chambre d’Essais Thermiques & Aérauliques = Thermal and Airflow Test Chamber), has its own management structures within the Romilly Technicentre.

Workforce

CETA consists of a team of 5 technicians.

Principal resources

Simulation of sunshine, humidity and outside temperature:

►Temperature from -20°C to +60°C

►Relative humidity up to 100%

►Sunshine up to 900 W/m²

Simulation of the presence of human beings by generation of sensible and latent heat,
HT electric power supply of 1,000V d.c. to 2,000V d.c.,
Automatic control of the climatic parameters in the chamber (cyclic),
Ability to cater to UIC-gauge vehicles up to 30m in length.

Key strengths

A single facility for all investigatory, research and development work on temperature control on new or renovated vehicles for purposes of confirming or improving passenger comfort.
Readjustment of settings on older vehicles (allowance for changes in standards, or enhancements to passenger comfort).
Sunshine.
Road and rail access.
Tests performed in accordance with railway air conditioning standards: NF EN 13129/1, 13129/2, 14750/1, 14750/2, 14813/1 and 14813/2.
PMV / PPD index establishment in accordance with thermal comfort standard NF EN ISO 7730.

Accreditations