Unlike the first two, which were adapted from Carrier Transicold’s NaturaLINE marine container transcritical refrigeration units, the newest unit is a prototype developed by Carrier Transicold specifically for use in refrigerated truck trailers. It is the first of three slated to join Sainsbury’s fleet in 2016.
The new prototype system also uses technology from the NaturaLINE refrigeration system, assembled inside a traditional Carrier Vector unit chassis.
The retailer pioneered the world’s first trailer using CO2 as a refrigerant in 2013, and added another in 2014.
The new prototype CO2 trailer “will be in action in the next couple of months,” a Sainsbury’s spokesman told Accelerate America.
The trailer was slated to be on display in late April at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham, UK, the spokesman said.
“Delivering the first dedicated natural refrigerant trailer prototype into service marks a huge milestone in the development of over-the-road refrigeration using CO2,” said David Appel, president, Carrier Transicold & Refrigeration Systems in a release. “Our ultimate vision is to see temperature-controlled units running on natural refrigerant in mainstream production.”
Mark Hamstra authored this article for R744.com.
