Carrier Transicold unveiled the world's first natural refrigerant technology for container refrigeration yesterday, Tuesday, at logistics trade fair Intermodal Europe in the Netherlands.
Carrier's newest container refrigeration unit design, known as NaturaLINE, uses sustainable carbon dioxide (CO2) in place of conventional synthetic hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants that cause greater damage to the environment.
Carrier has already placed demonstration units in service for around-the-world tests with Hamburg-based Hapag-Lloyd. The firm will extend the programme with full field trials next year.
The natural refrigerant CO2 is non-ozone depleting with a global warming potential (GWP) of only one, compared to conventional container system refrigerants R-134a and R-404A that have GWPs of 1,320 and 3,260 respectively, Carrier said in a statement.
The use of CO2 adds no new environmental risk in the event of a leak, the firm added.
'NaturaLINE technology is a revolutionary breakthrough for the marine container refrigeration market and advances Carrier's natural leadership in environmental technologies,' said John Mandyck, Carrier vice president, sustainability & environmental strategies.
'NaturaLINE technology also demonstrates how technological innovation can reduce the impact on climate change, continuing Carrier's long-standing commitment to providing sustainable solutions.'
Carrier's natural refrigerant container technology incorporates numerous innovations, some of which are new to container refrigeration applications, the firm said.
Carrier Transicold is a unit of Carrier Corp, a world leader in high technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions.
