Qinghai–Tibet Railway Deploys Solar De-Icing to Safeguard Culverts and Subgrade

Ice build-up at culvert inlets and outlets can dam water, causing ponding that immerses the railway subgrade. On the high-altitude Qinghai–Tibet corridor—characterized by strong solar radiation, large diurnal temperature swings and seasonal permafrost—the risk is amplified each winter. To address this challenge sustainably, the operator deployed a **solar de-icing** solution designed for remote, harsh environments.

Project Snapshot

• Corridor: Selected culverts along the Qinghai–Tibet Railway

• Commissioned: 2013 (continuous operation and optimization)

• Per-site capacity: ≈ 60 m³ treatment/clearing equivalent

• Objective: Prevent ice dams, keep drainage unblocked, avoid subgrade immersion and winter safety hazards

• Energy source: renewable heating solutions via solar thermal, reducing diesel reliance

How the Solar Thermal De-Icing System Works

• Flat plate solar collectors optimized for thin air capture solar heat into a closed glycol loop.

• A compact thermal storage tank supplies night and overcast operation.

• Heat-exchange jackets / embedded coils keep culvert mouths above freezing to prevent ice nucleation.

• Sensors & smart control modulate flow and temperature based on icing risk and weather forecasts.

• Skid-mounted modules minimize civil work and speed replication across multiple sites.

Verified Outcomes (2013–present)

• Safety: Treated culverts remain open; “ice-lake” formation is avoided, protecting ballast and railway subgrade.

• Cost: Preventive heating reduces emergency clearances and diesel logistics.

• Reliability: Rugged components withstand wind, sand and deep cold typical of the plateau.

• Carbon: Replacing fossil heat with clean thermal energy systems advances the dual-carbon pathway.

Engineered for the Plateau, Ready to Replicate

Selective-coating absorbers maintain efficiency in sub-zero ambient conditions; corrosion-resistant piping and anti-freeze fluids ensure integrity at altitude. Oversized storage smooths long winter nights. The modular design supports rapid deployment at vulnerable culverts, with potential adaptation for **high-altitude highways, mining roads and airport drainage** facing similar icing risks.

Future Enhancements

• Expanded coverage at historically high-risk culverts.

• Integration of de-icing telemetry into centralized condition monitoring.

• Hybrid schemes combining solar with waste-heat recovery where available.

• Predictive control using weather APIs and infrared ice detection to further cut energy use.