Theoretical and steady experimental investigation of the cold energy recovering of a LNG-fueled refrigerated truck

According to the current development of refrigerated transport industry of China and wide promotion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) vehicles, the advantages and feasibility to recover LNG cold energy for refrigerated truck were analyzed, and cooling capacity demand was theoretically calculated. A process of a direct-cooled refrigerated truck recovering LNG cold energy was proposed. A steady state experiment on a direct-cooled cold energy recovery of a refrigerated truck was conducted, in which liquid nitrogen was used instead of LNG. The experimental results show that the system could operate well and cold energy recovered during the LNG gasification process could match the demand of cold storage. The temperature could drop to -20 °C in the carriage, and the temperature difference between the measuring points was all below 4 °C. In addition, the temperature drop rate and uniformity of the temperature field in the carriage could meet the relevant technical standard.