LOUISVILLE, KY. Carrier Transicold chose the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) as the venue to introduce its newest trailer refrigeration technology. The new “ultra-efficient” system is designed to consume less fuel, deliver improved cooling performance and run cleaner and quieter at the same time.
David Kiefer, director of marketing and product management for the company, called the new system “the next leap forward” noting that it is all about what customers care about today - “getting more while using less.” It will be fully available in 2013.
“This is efficiency beyond anything we’ve ever achieved,” he said. The new system reduces the engine power requirements by 18 to 20% and enables 5 to 20% lower fuel consumption compared to previous models over a full range of operating conditions, according to Kiefer. The new technology will be applied to both of Carrier’s current refrigeration platforms, the Vector hybrid diesel-electric and the X2 series of belt-driven units.
Additional design changes will be unique to each platform. For example, compressor and generator design modifications - made to improve efficiency, performance and reliability - are also expected to reduce the weight of the Vector units by more than eight percent. The X2 series units will require 24% less refrigerant, according to the company.
One element common to both platforms is the 2.2L Kubota diesel engine that has been made smarter with the addition of sensors and an electronic control module. Also common to both platforms will be implementation of the APX control system with its new power management algorithms and intelligent refrigeration system control; improvements to the condenser, heat-exchanger and fan designs; and a new custom-designed engine emissions system (EES) made to reduce noise, improve efficiency and greatly reduce emissions.
The EES reduces particulates 95% beyond current EPA-compliant emissions levels, according to Kiefer. “It is eco-driven and future-forward,” he said. “It is the kind of technology our customers tell us they need.
“Reducing emissions was one of the main goals in our development process,” he added. “We challenged ourselves to evaluate our systems holistically, while considering our customers’ long-term needs beyond immediate compliance requirements. The result is a fusion of new innovations with proven technologies from our successful platforms.”
According to the company, one reason for the development of the new technology was to provide customers with a means to meet changing emissions standards. In 2013, EPA’s Tier 4 Final standard for refrigeration units with engines greater than 25 hp. becomes effective, as does a new “not to exceed” test standard. The new system “significantly surpasses” the requirements of the applicable Tier 4 standard, Transicold noted, while also improving cooling capacity for most applications, resulting in up to a 20% faster pull down; providing reliable operation, even in hotter ambient conditions; and delivering improvements in durability and longevity thanks to more lightly loaded components running at lower speeds.
