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Advancing sustainable refrigeration in transport: evaluating R290 as a refrigerant for reefer applications.

Number: 18311

Author(s) : ALARCON-GALLEN D., NAVARRO-PERIS E., MARTÍNEZ-BALLESTER S., ORSCHLOK K.

Summary

The transition toward low-GWP refrigerants in refrigerated transport is crucial to achieving the reduction targets for high-GWP gases in the cold chain. This study examines the feasibility of using propane (R290) as an alternative to R134a for reefer applications. A commercially available R134a-based reefer was selected and its refrigeration circuit adapted to operate with R290 within the same application range. The obtained results show that the R290 design proposed have an energy consumption reduction greater than 10% is achieved. The change of the compressor and the capacity control are the most critical point of the redesign, thus a compressor performance mapping is presented. Safety is a major concern when using flammable refrigerants like hydrocarbons (HCs) or A2L HFO refrigerants in mobile applications, particularly due to the vibrations and rough handling of reefers. Therefore, the application of the ISO Standard 20854:2019 for the product will be highlighted.

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Pages: 10 p.

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Details

  • Original title: Advancing sustainable refrigeration in transport: evaluating R290 as a refrigerant for reefer applications.
  • Record ID : 30034723
  • Languages: English
  • Subject: Technology
  • Source: 9th IIR International Conference on Sustainability and the Cold Chain. Proceedings: April 12-14 2026
  • Publication date: 2026/04
  • DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18462/iir.iccc.2026.8311

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