The use of aerogel-based materials to improve refrigerated transport

Refrigerated transport trucks are mostly insulated with insulating foam using blowing agents. These gases provide isothermal performances, however, with the Kigali amendment to the Montreal Protocol, they are limited from production and sale. Current alternatives are cyclopentane and CO2. A decrease in performance is observed during their lifetime, due to the evacuation of the blowing agents. It is necessary to investigate for new insulating materials allowing maintaining the thermal performances during the lifespan of the vehicle. These materials must meet the requirements of the Agreement on the International Carriage of Perishable Foodstuffs (ATP), from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). Aerogel-based materials are promising candidates for the insulated body: they have the advantages of being lightweight and thermally efficient. They have the potential to reduce the loss of perishable goods, by a better preservation of products and to limit the costs of use of the refrigerated vehicle.