The new fridge operates solely with carbon dioxide (CO2, also known as R744) as the refrigerant – the point being that, from a green perspective, CO2 it has a GWP (global warming potential) of just one.
This trailer is the first of three units due to join Sainsbury’s fleet this year as part of a three-year field trial, explains Gary King, operations support manager, Sainsbury’s.
“The beauty of Carrier Transicold’s prototype trailer unit is it delivers a massive reduction in F-Gases by using natural refrigerant,” states King.
“This will help us achieve our ambitious environmental and sustainability goals, while delivering a seismic leap forward in terms of sustainability within the cold chain,” he continues.
Sainsbury’s new natural refrigerant trailer unit will be used for everyday store deliveries, building on the success of its 2013 pilot, which saw the supermarket operate a modified road version of Carrier Transicold’s NaturaLINE refrigeration system for ocean containers.
The new prototype system uses technology from the NaturaLINE refrigeration system, assembled inside a traditional Carrier Vector fridge unit chassis and powered by the same E-Drive all-electric technology as Carrier Transicold’s existing Vector range.
The first of the three prototype trailers to enter service with Sainsbury’s is a 13.6 metre dual-compartment tri-axle reefer, manufactured by Gray & Adams.