Sustainably-driven: Air Products’ Cryogenics Expertise Supports World’s First Refrigerated Truck Cooled by Liquid Nitrogen Engine

The world’s first refrigerated delivery truck cooled by an innovative liquid nitrogen powered engine is being trialled by UK supermarket Sainsbury’s. The world’s first refrigerated delivery truck cooled by an innovative liquid nitrogen powered engine is being trialled by UK supermarket Sainsbury’s. Using Air Products’ cryogenic expertise, liquid nitrogen and refuelling infrastructure the zero-emission cooling unit replaces the traditional diesel engine used to chill the vehicle, and will significantly cut emissions.

As a recognised leader in cryogenic technology applications Air Products is working closely with cooling technology specialists, Dearman and its partners on this project. The new refrigerant system, based on the revolutionary British invention The Dearman Engine, harnesses the rapid expansion of liquid nitrogen to deliver zero-emission power and cooling. The system eliminates all emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, significantly reducing overall emissions for the vehicle.

Demonstrating Air Products’ commitment to help customers and partners improve their sustainability performance, the vehicle will save up to 1.6 tonnes of carbon dioxide during the three month trial; the equivalent of driving over 14,500km in a modern family car. The trial will also save 37kg of nitrogen oxides and 2kg of particulate matter, compared to a similar diesel system. The truck will operate from Sainsbury’s Waltham Point depot, delivering chilled goods to stores around London, UK.

Commenting on the announcement Jon Trembley, Air Products’ Cryogenic Technology Manager – EMEA, said: The global demand for sustainable performance which improves energy efficiency and emissions whilst addressing social needs is very real. Strong partnerships that enable customers to grow responsibly through environmentally-focussed opportunities are critical; this project is a living example of what can be achieved through creative, expert thinking.

Dearman’s Founder and CEO, Toby Peters, added: Demand for cooling is increasing worldwide and new technologies are urgently needed to ensure that growth can be achieved sustainably. The Dearman system is one such technology, and alongside our partners, we’re proud to be debuting it with Sainsbury’s, a company renowned for their respect for the environment.

This trial is the latest in a series of innovations from Sainsbury’s to help reduce carbon emissions. In another first, the company has worked with Air Products again to bring cleaner, greener fuel to its customers in London through the installation of the UK’s first supermarket forecourt hydrogen dispenser for fuelling cars. Sainsbury’s has also become the first company in the world to use CO2 as a natural refrigerant and has now taken on three trucks with cooling fuelled by this method. Furthermore, earlier this year the company announced that all its new fridges would run on the recognised cleaner cooling agent R-452A, helping reduce emissions by 45% compared to the more commonly used R404A.

Commenting on today’s announcement Paul Crewe, Head of Sustainability for Sainsbury’s, said: With ambitious commitments outlined in our Sustainability Plan, Sainsbury’s has a reputation of being an early adopter of sustainable technology. Dearman’s zero-emission system is really exciting, to be running a liquid air engine quite literally means our cooling is running on thin air!