Refrigeratedtransporter 1739 Sainsbury Reefer Truck

Sainsbury’s to conduct test of reefer truck cooled by liquid nitrogen engine

June 24, 2016
United Kingdom-based Sainsbury’s has become the first company in the world to introduce a refrigerated delivery truck cooled by a liquid nitrogen-powered engine.

United Kingdom-based Sainsbury’s has become the first company in the world to introduce a refrigerated delivery truck cooled by a liquid nitrogen-powered engine.

Supplied by cooling technology specialist Dearman and its partners, the zero-emission cooling unit replaces the traditional diesel engine used to chill the vehicle and will significantly cut emissions.

During a three-month trial, the vehicle will save up to 1.6 tonnes of carbon dioxide; the equivalent of driving more than 14,500 kilometers in a car. The trial will also eliminate 37 kg of nitrogen oxides and 2 kg of particulate matter, compared with a similar diesel system. The truck will operate from Sainsbury’s Waltham Point depot, delivering chilled goods to stores in the London area.

Based on the Dearman engine, the new system harnesses rapid expansion of liquid nitrogen to deliver zero-emission power and cooling. Traditionally many refrigerated trucks require two diesel engines—one to power the vehicle and one for the refrigeration unit. By replacing the latter, Dearman believes a more sustainable solution for refrigeration may soon be widely adopted on Britain’s roads.

Paul Crewe, head of sustainability for Sainsbury’s, said, “As one of Britain’s biggest retailers, we really recognize the importance of reducing emissions, which is why we’re working hard to cut carbon emissions by 30% between 2005 and 2020. This trial with Dearman is just one of the innovations we’ve introduced to help us toward this goal. Their zero-emission system is really exciting—to be running a liquid air engine quite literally means our cooling is running on thin air.”

The trial is the latest in a series of innovations from Sainsbury’s. Following a trial in 2013, it became the first company to use CO2 as a natural refrigerant and now has three trucks with cooling fueled by this method. Earlier in 2016, the company introduced R-452A as a transport cooling agent and announced that all new refrigeration units would run on this. R-452A will help reduce emissions by 45% compared with R404A more commonly used. Assessment of the success of the trial will be considered, along with operational cost, for any potential rollout of the technology.

The new liquid nitrogen-powered engine has been designed with safety in mind. Unlike traditional fuels, liquid nitrogen is a non-flammable substance used in industry and food preparation and is transported safely on the UK’s road network. It has been provided, along with the refueling infrastructure, by Air Products.

Access www.dearmanengine.com for further details.

Sponsored Recommendations

Heavy-Duty Maintenance Checklist

A maintenance checklist can help ensure you hit everything necessary during an inspection. Check out our free downloadable checklist to help streamline your repairs.

Five Ways a Little Data Can Save Your Company Millions

While most trucking and logistics companies rely on cellular to keep their work fleet connected, satellite has the ability to connect anywhere and through small data transmission...

Fleet Case Study: 15% YOY Growth for ITDS

Learn how this small trucking company scaled significantly and maintained outstanding customer service without adding additional people. Sylectus TMS can automate operations and...

Unlocking Fleet Safety & Efficiency: The Managed Service Advantage

Want to boost your fleet's safety and efficiency? Tune in now to discover the power of Managed Services in optimizing your safety program, streamlining operations, and making ...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!