DEVELOPMENT OF A NOVEL COOLING SYSTEM FOR REFRIGERATED TRUCKS INCORPORATING PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS

摘要

An innovative cooling system incorporating phase change material (PCM) is proposed to maintain refrigerated trucks at the desired conditions. The advantage of using PCM to maintain low temperatures is that the conventional refrigeration system does not have to be located on-board the vehicle. In addition, the system uses less energy and produces less greenhouse gases. The phase change storage system can be charged by a refrigeration system located off the vehicle when it is stationary. The PCM is discharged and provides cooling when in service, normally during the day. In the present study, a new PCM has been developed in order to maintain the refrigerated truck at a temperature of -22°C. This PCM is an inorganic salt-based aqueous solution, which has a melting temperature of approximately -26.7°C. Its melting and freezing characteristics have been studied experimentally in an Environmental Test Chamber. The PCM showed good thermal stability through a number of freezing and melting cycles.