Minimizing Energy Loss in the Bus Door Area

This thesis deals with investigating temperature drop and energy loss at bus door opening area. This research was done for SOE Bus Production Finland, which is a subsidiary of Scania ltd. The reason for this research was the need to investigate the possible energy wastage in a bus. The aim of this project was to make comprehensive research about the possibility to reduce energy consumption with air curtains at the door area in a bus. The project included research, practical testing, brainstorming, mathematical calculations, simulating and development. In the thesis it was focused on experimental tests. In this research scientific knowledge, experimental tests, simulations, and results are introduced step by step. In the beginning it was familiarized with existing air curtains. The existing solutions were used as a base for experimental tests. Sizing and finding suitable air curtain were a result of many experimental test. For calculating energy loss through door area, a mathematical excel model was created. To understand the behaviour of air, studying fluid dynamics and heat transfer was needed. As final result of the research results and suggestion were introduced. An air curtain that is suitable for use in a bus was not designed because it was not within the range of the study. The idea of the thesis was to visualize and concretise the energy loss from the door area. Making busses more energy efficient is a long process. This thesis can be used as a start for development and realization in the product development work at SOE Bus Production Finland