Cryogenics: Ed

Ed, a discount grocery operating in France, does not use pallets in dual-temperature trucks to deliver products from its 8 warehouses to its 800 retail outlets. Instead, Ed has opted for a cryogenic refrigeration system combining carbon dioxide snow with isothermal mobile containers. When CO2 snow sublimates at -78.5°C, it releases a large amount of refrigeration energy in terms (628 kJ/kg). According to Mr J.M. Bourdier who manages one of the warehouses: "this solution was chosen because of its versatility. As transportation costs became a major issue in the logistics circuit, it became all the more useful to be able to store all our products in one single ambience, within the same vehicle. Besides, once delivered, the products remain protected until they are effectively placed on the shelves, which allows for more flexible management on reception." This technology has developed markedly over the past few years. The carbon dioxide snow is directly produced within the Ed's warehouse from a food-quality gas stored in a refrigerated tank outside the building. An entirely automated station makes it possible to measure and inject the appropriate amount into a specially designed storage tank, placed within the container itself.