Container assembly

Abstract

A container assembly (100) is disclosed. The container assembly comprises an intermodal container (2) and a thermal insulation structure (10). The thermal insulation structure comprises an aerogel (16). The thermal insulation structure is removably secured to the interior of the intermodal container, and the thermal insulation structure comprises an interior (14) for receiving goods.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a container assembly, an intermodal container heat insulation assembly and a refrigerated shipping container. Background Art

[0002] Intermodal containers, particularly shipping containers, may include insulating materials to insulate the interior of the container. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a container assembly comprising: an intermodal container; and an insulation structure comprising aerogel, wherein the insulation structure is removably secured to an interior of the intermodal container, and wherein the insulation structure comprises an interior for receiving cargo.

[0004] In some container assemblies, such as refrigerated containers, insulation is permanently attached to the interior of the container. Due to the structure of the container assembly, insulation may also be required to provide structural rigidity to the container assembly. Therefore, when the thermal efficiency of the insulation material decreases to a level beyond the desired level (for example, due to degradation of the insulation material), the entire container assembly will need to be replaced. The present invention provides an insulation structure that can be removed from the interior volume of an intermodal container, so that the insulation structure can be removed for maintenance or repair, or can be removed when the insulation material is not needed. This can help to extend the service life of the insulation structure because the insulation structure can be inserted into a new intermodal container when the old intermodal container is worn. The worn intermodal container can be recycled and the insulation structure can also be reused. Using aerogel to provide insulation can also make the insulation material thinner than when the insulation material is polyurethane (PU). This can increase the overall available internal volume that can be used to store cargo. Therefore, fewer containers may be required to store and transport the same amount of cargo, which can help reduce the impact of cargo transportation on the environment. Because aerogel does not degrade over time like PU, the aerogel can have a longer service life and can be replaced less frequently than other insulation materials. Due to the reduced degradation of aerogel compared to PU, this can also reduce the power required by the refrigeration unit to keep the interior of the insulation structure cool. This can reduce the load on the refrigeration unit and can also reduce the impact of cooling the interior of the insulation structure on the environment. Optionally, the aerogel comprises Oryza aerogel or Spacetherm aerogel

[0005] Optionally, the insulating structure comprises a plurality of layers, and at least one of the layers may comprise aerogel. This may allow the aerogel to be covered by another layer of material, thereby helping to protect the aerogel. Optionally, multiple layers of the plurality of layers comprise aerogel. This may provide increased insulation compared to using a single layer of aerogel. Optionally, at least one of the plurality of layers is aerogel.

[0006] Optionally, the insulation structure comprises polymer blow molding, stainless steel or other alloy or composite material. Optionally, the insulation structure comprises two layers of steel, such as stainless steel, and the aerogel is arranged between the two layers of steel. The steel layer can help protect the aerogel from damage and can provide further structural rigidity to the insulation structure. In addition, the steel layer can prevent or limit UV light from reaching the aerogel, which may otherwise damage the aerogel.

[0007] Optionally, the insulating structure is substantially free of polyurethane, such as polyurethane foam. This can extend the useful life of the insulating structure compared to using polyurethane, since polyurethane deteriorates over time. For example, bubbles in polyurethane foam may burst over time, which may reduce the efficiency of the polyurethane foam. Avoiding the use of polyurethane can help overcome this problem. Optionally, the insulating structure includes aerogel and polyurethane. This can provide improved insulation compared to using polyurethane alone. Optionally, a first layer of the plurality of layers includes aerogel and a second layer of the plurality of layers includes polyurethane. Optionally, a first layer of the plurality of layers is aerogel and a second layer of the plurality of layers is polyurethane.

[0008] Optionally, the insulation structure includes an inner surface defining an interior of the insulation structure, and the inner surface includes grooves for directing fluid flow through the interior. The grooves direct fluid (such as air flow) along the surface and through the interior. This can help improve the thermal efficiency of the container assembly. In some examples, the grooves can direct water flow (which may be the result of condensation inside) along the surface and out of the interior. This can improve the sanitation of the container assembly. Optionally, the inner surface includes a plurality of grooves.

[0009] Optionally, the insulation structure substantially fills the interior of the intermodal container. Substantially filling the interior of the intermodal container can increase the rigidity of the container assembly and can help reduce torsion (also known as twisting) of the intermodal container. In some examples, the insulation structure fills at least 40% of the interior of the intermodal container. In some examples, the insulation structure fills at least 60% of the interior of the intermodal container. In some examples, the insulation structure fills at least 80% of the interior of the intermodal container.

[0010] Optionally, the insulating structure comprises a roof portion, a floor portion and at least two opposing side wall portions, wherein the thickness of the roof portion is different from the thickness of the floor portion and / or the side wall portion. This may allow the thickness of the insulating structure to be customized. For example, it may be desirable to employ a thicker insulating structure portion at the floor portion in order to allow for storage of cargo on the floor portion. Optionally, the thickness of the aerogel is about 10 mm to 20 mm. Optionally, the thickness of the insulating structure is about 60 mm to 100 mm.

[0011] Optionally, the roof portion, the floor portion and the two side wall portions each include a plurality of smaller panels, which when combined together form the roof portion, the floor portion and the two side wall portions. This can allow the various parts of the insulation structure to be more easily interchanged between containers of different sizes. For example, when located in a 40-foot container, the roof portion can include four panels of the same size, which together form the roof portion, and when located in a 20-foot container, the roof portion can include two of the panels of the same size. Optionally, the roof portion, the floor portion and the two side wall portions each include a single panel. Compared to the roof portion, the floor portion and the two side wall portions each including a plurality of panels, this can simplify the insulation structure by reducing the total number of parts.

[0012] Optionally, the insulating structure includes a support assembly for supporting the top panel portion. The support assembly includes a locking rod extending from a first edge of the top panel portion to a second opposite edge of the top panel portion. The support assembly can help hold the top panel portion in place and can provide additional structural rigidity to the insulating structure.

[0013] Optionally, the intermodal container includes a recessed floor for accommodating a floor portion of the insulating structure. This helps to avoid the insulating structure interfering with the loading and unloading of the intermodal container.

[0014] Optionally, the insulation structure is removably secured to the intermodal container by a securing device, the securing device comprising a securing member extending through a hole in the insulation structure and received by an engagement portion of the intermodal container. The hole in the insulation structure may be a hole in one of the plurality of layers. The securing member may include: a first end portion shaped to engage the insulation structure when the securing member passes through the hole in the insulation structure; and a second end portion (a second end portion opposite the first end portion) shaped to allow the second end portion to enter the engagement portion when the securing member is in a first orientation, and to restrict the second end portion from entering and leaving the engagement portion when the securing member is in a second orientation. To secure the insulation structure to the intermodal container, the securing member may pass through the hole in the insulation structure when in the first orientation, so that the first end portion engages the insulation structure and the second end portion is received by the engagement portion. The securing member may then be switched to the second orientation, which restricts movement of the securing member out of the engagement portion, and secures the insulation structure to the intermodal container. To remove the securing member, the securing member may be switched to the first orientation, which may allow the second end portion of the securing member to be removed from the engagement portion, and the securing member may then be removed. This may allow the securing member to be removed from the insulating structure without causing structural damage to the insulating structure, thereby allowing the insulating structure to be removed from the intermodal container.

[0015] Optionally, the intermodal container includes a refrigeration unit. The refrigeration unit may be configured to provide cooling to the interior of the insulating structure. Optionally, the refrigeration unit is disposed within the insulating structure. This may allow the refrigeration unit to be easily removed from the intermodal container along with the insulating structure.

[0016] Optionally, the intermodal container is a shipping container. Optionally, the intermodal container is a refrigerated shipping container. Optionally, the intermodal container is a container compliant with the requirements of ISO 668 and ISO 1496-2.

[0017] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an intermodal container insulation assembly comprising: a plurality of walls defining an internal volume, the plurality of walls comprising insulating material; a fixing device for removably fixing the insulation assembly to the interior of the intermodal container; and a connector for connecting to a refrigeration unit so that the internal volume is in fluid communication with the refrigeration unit.

[0018] By providing an insulation assembly that is separate from the intermodal container and removably secured to the container, the insulation assembly can be retrofitted into existing containers. Additionally, the insulation assembly can be removed for replacement and / or maintenance without having to discard the intermodal container, which can help reduce waste. The connection of the refrigeration unit can allow cooling air from the refrigeration unit to pass into the interior volume of the intermodal container insulation assembly to cool the interior volume of the intermodal container insulation assembly.

[0019] Optionally, the insulation assembly is configured to fill between about 40% and 95% of the interior of the intermodal container when secured to the interior of the intermodal container. Optionally, the insulation assembly is configured to fill between about 60% and 90% of the interior of the intermodal container when secured to the interior of the intermodal container. Optionally, the insulation assembly is configured to fill between about 70% and 85% of the interior of the intermodal container when secured to the interior of the intermodal container. This can help provide structural rigidity to the intermodal container.

[0020] Optionally, the insulation material comprises aerogel. Aerogel can provide increased thermal efficiency compared to other insulation materials such as polyurethane. In addition, thinner aerogel layers can be used compared to polyurethane, which can increase the internal usable volume of the intermodal container.

[0021] Optionally, each of the plurality of walls comprises a plurality of layers, and at least one of the layers comprises aerogel. This may allow the aerogel to be sandwiched between layers of other materials, which may help protect the aerogel. Optionally, multiple layers of the plurality of layers may comprise aerogel. This may provide increased thermal insulation compared to using a single layer of aerogel. Optionally, at least one of the plurality of layers is aerogel.

[0022] Optionally, the insulation structure comprises polymer blow molding, stainless steel or other alloy or composite material. Optionally, the insulation structure comprises two layers of steel, such as stainless steel, and the aerogel is arranged between the two layers of steel. The steel layer can help protect the aerogel from damage and can provide further structural rigidity to the insulation structure. In addition, the steel layer can prevent or limit UV light from reaching the aerogel, which may otherwise damage the aerogel.

[0023] Optionally, the insulating structure is substantially free of polyurethane, such as polyurethane foam. This can extend the useful life of the insulating structure compared to using polyurethane, since polyurethane degrades over time. For example, bubbles in polyurethane foam may burst over time, which may reduce the efficiency of the polyurethane foam. Avoiding the use of polyurethane can help overcome this problem. Optionally, the insulating structure includes aerogel and polyurethane. This can provide improved insulation compared to using polyurethane alone. Optionally, a first layer of the plurality of layers includes aerogel and a second layer of the plurality of layers includes polyurethane.

[0024] Optionally, the inner surface of the plurality of walls includes grooves for directing fluid flow through the interior volume. The grooves direct fluid (such as airflow) along the surface and through the interior volume. This can help improve the thermal efficiency of the container assembly. In some examples, the grooves can direct water flow (which may be the result of condensation in the interior volume) along the surface and out of the interior. This can improve the sanitation of the intermodal container insulation assembly. Optionally, the inner surface includes a plurality of grooves.

[0025] Optionally, the plurality of walls have different thicknesses. This may allow the plurality of walls to have different properties depending on their respective thicknesses. For example, a thicker wall may allow cargo to be stored on said wall.

[0026] Optionally, the intermodal container insulation assembly has a length between about 5 m and 12 m, a width between about 1.8 m and 2.5 m, and a height between about 2 m and 3 m.

[0027] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an intermodal container comprising insulating material removably attached to an interior of the intermodal container, wherein the insulating material comprises aerogel.

[0028] The use of aerogel may provide improved thermal efficiency compared to other insulation materials, such as polyurethane. In addition, the amount of aerogel required may need to be less than that of polyurethane, which may increase the internal capacity of the intermodal container. Since the insulation material is removably attached to the interior of the intermodal container, structural damage to the insulation material may be caused while the insulation material is removed to allow replacement of the insulation material. Optionally, the intermodal container comprises a refrigerated shipping container. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] Figure 1 A schematic side view of a container ship is shown;

[0031] Figure 2 A schematic isometric view of a shipping container is shown;

[0032] Figure 3 An exploded schematic diagram of a shipping container and insulation structure is shown;

[0033] Figure 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the floor of a shipping container;

[0034] Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of an insulation structure;

[0035] Figure 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a surface of an insulation structure;

[0036] Figure 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a shipping container and insulation structure;

[0037] Figure 8 Shows Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional side view of a shipping container;

[0038] Fig. 9 and Fig.10 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary fixture; and

[0039] Fig.11 A schematic cross-sectional view of a further shipping container is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Figure 1 A schematic side view of a vessel in the form of a container ship 1 is shown. A plurality of shipping containers 2 are stacked above the deck of the container ship 1. A bridge 3 is located on the container ship 1, from which the operation of the container ship 1 can be controlled. The bridge 3 comprises a display for displaying various details about the container ship 1 and / or the containers 2, and an input for controlling the container ship 1 and / or the containers 2.

[0041] Figures 2 to 11 A schematic diagram of a shipping container 2 and an insulating structure 10 located within the shipping container 2 is shown in more detail.

[0042] Figure 3A container assembly 100 including a shipping container 2 and an insulation structure 10 is shown in an exploded schematic diagram. The shipping container 2 is a dry cargo container that meets the requirements of ISO 668 and ISO 1496-2. The length of the container 2 is about 40 feet (12.2m), the width is about 8 feet (2.4m), and the height is about 9 feet 6 inches (2.9m). The container 2 includes a pair of doors 4, a first and a second pair of hinges 5, a pair of door rods 7, and a lock 6. The door 4 is generally in a planar form and is attached to the container 2 by a corresponding pair of the paired hinges 5. The door rod 7 and the lock 6 are used to secure the door 4 in a closed position. The shipping container also includes a roof 101, a floor 102, two side walls 103, and an end wall 104, which together with the door 4 define the interior of the shipping container 2.

[0043] The floor 102 of the container 2 includes a plurality of channels 42 extending in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container 2 (i.e., in a direction parallel to the longest side of the container 2), wherein the plurality of channels 42 are arranged in a plurality of channels 42. Figure 4 102 includes a plurality of platforms 41, and channels 42 are located between the plurality of platforms. The channels 42 have a partially circular cross-sectional shape. The channels 42 allow air flow (or other fluid flow) to bypass the insulation structure and flow toward the door 4 of the container 2. A portion of the floor 102 of the container 2 is recessed to accommodate the insulation structure 10 (such as Figure 8 shown).

[0044] Each of the side walls 103 of the container 2 includes an engagement portion 23 configured to receive an end of the fixing member 20 that passes through a portion of the insulation structure 10, as will be described later with reference to FIG. Fig. 9 discussed.

[0045] The top plate 101 of the container 2 includes a pin 25 extending into the interior of the container 2. The pin 25 is configured to engage with the insulation structure 10, as will be described later with reference to FIG. Fig.10 discussed.

[0046] The insulating structure 10 includes a ceiling portion 11, a floor portion 12, an end wall portion 52, two door portions 53, and two side wall portions 13. Cargo is received within an interior 14 of the insulating structure 10 and the insulating structure 10 isolates the interior 14 from the external environment.

[0047] The ceiling section 11, the floor section 12, the two side wall sections 13, the end wall section 52 and the door section 53 (also referred to as "sections") of the insulating structure 10 each comprise three layers 15, 16, 17, each having a thickness of about 20 mm. Figure 5The structure of the layers 15, 16, 17 is schematically shown. The aerogel layer 16 is located between two steel layers 15, 17. The steel layers 15, 17 comprise stainless steel and the aerogel layer 16 comprises Oryza aerogel.

[0048] The insulation structure 10 does not contain any expanded polyurethane foam. Aerogels typically have a thermal efficiency of about 9 to 48 W / K, compared to polyurethane foam, which has a thermal efficiency of about 42 W / K. Therefore, an aerogel layer can be much thinner than a polyurethane layer while providing the same level of insulation. Figure 5 In the embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the aerogel layer 16 is about 20 mm. To provide the same level of insulation effect with a foamed polyurethane foam layer would require a foamed polyurethane layer thickness of about 70 mm. Therefore, when using aerogel, the portions of the insulation structure 10 can be thinner and occupy less space inside the container 2 than when using foamed polyurethane.

[0049] Since aerogel has a much longer service life than polyurethane foam, the insulation structure 10 needs to be replaced less frequently than if polyurethane foam was used. In addition, since aerogel deteriorates much less over time than polyurethane foam, this can also reduce the cost of refrigeration units 50 (such as Figure 8 ) to keep the interior of the insulated structure 10 cool. This can reduce the load on the refrigeration device 50 and can also reduce the impact of cooling the interior 14 of the insulated structure 10 on the environment.

[0050] The inner surface 54 of the top panel portion 11 of the insulating structure 10 (i.e., the portion of the top panel portion that faces the interior 14 of the insulating structure 10) is Figure 6 1 and includes grooves 57 to direct the air flow from the refrigeration unit 50 through the interior 14 of the insulation structure 10. The inner surface 54 includes a series of peaks 55 and valleys 56 that form the grooves 57 in the inner surface 54. The contour of the inner surface 54 is such that air flowing along the inner surface 54 is directed toward the door 4 of the container 2.

[0051] The end wall portion 52 includes a connector 51 to connect the refrigeration unit 50 to the interior 14 of the insulating structure 10. The connector 51 includes a tube extending through the end wall portion 52, a first end of the tube leading to the interior 14 of the insulating structure 10, and a second end of the tube (opposite the first end) connectable to the refrigeration unit 50.

[0052] Each of the side wall portions 13 includes a hole 21 extending through the corresponding side wall portion 13. The hole 21 is configured to receive a portion of the fixing member 20 to fix the side wall portion 13 to the container 2, as will be described later with reference to Fig. 9 discussed.

[0053] The roof portion 11 includes an engagement portion 27 configured to engage with the pins 25 of the roof 101 to secure the roof portion 11 to the container 2, as will be described later with reference to FIG. Fig.10 discussed.

[0054] The floor portion 12 is thicker than the roof portion 11 and the two side wall portions 13, and the roof portion 11 is thinner than the two side wall portions 13 and the floor portion 12. The support member 18 extends along the roof portion 11 between the two side wall portions 13 to support the roof portion 11 when installed in the container 2.

[0055] The portions of the insulation structure 10 are provided as separate components which are then individually inserted into the interior of the container 2 to form the insulation structure 10 within the container 2. In use, each of the portions of the insulation structure 10 is inserted into the interior of the shipping container 2 through the door 4 of the container 2. Figure 7 and Figure 8 A schematic cross-sectional view of a container 2 is shown when the thermal insulation structure 10 is located within the container 2. When located within the container 2, the thermal insulation structure 10 substantially fills the container 2. The floor portion 12 abuts against a floor 102 of the container 2, the roof portion 11 abuts against a roof 101 of the container 2, and the two side wall portions 13 abut against opposing side walls 103 of the container 2. The door portion 53 is attached to a respective door 4 of the shipping container 2. The roof portion 11, the floor portion 12, the side wall portions 13, the end wall portion 52 and the door portion 53 abut against each other to define an interior 14 of the thermal insulation structure 10.

[0056] The refrigeration unit 50 is located at the end of the shipping container 2 opposite the door 4 of the shipping container 2, between the end wall 104 and the end wall portion 52. The refrigeration unit 50 is fluidly connected to the interior 14 of the insulating structure 10 via a connector 51. In use, the refrigeration unit 50 provides a cooling airflow to the interior 14 of the insulating structure 10 via the connector 51. The cooling airflow is used to control the temperature within the insulating structure 10 so that it remains below a predetermined value. The predetermined value may vary depending on the cargo stored and / or transported in the container 2.

[0057] When located within the insulated structure 10, the various parts are removably secured to the shipping container 2 using securing members 20, such as Fig. 9 and 10 As the insulation structure 10 is removably secured to the shipping container 2, this can allow the insulation structure 10 to be removed for maintenance or repair, or when insulation is not needed. This can help extend the useful life of the insulation structure 10, because as the old shipping container wears, the insulation structure 10 can be inserted into a new shipping container 2. The worn container can be recycled, and the insulation structure 10 can be reused.

[0058] Fig. 9 The illustrated securing member 20 extends through a hole 21 in the side wall portion 13 of the insulating structure 10. The securing member 20 has a barbed end 22 that passes through the hole 21 and engages with an engagement portion 23 of the side wall 103 of the container 2. When in a first orientation relative to the engagement portion 23, the securing member 20 can freely move into and out of the engagement portion 23. When the barbed end 22 engages with the engagement portion 23, the securing member 20 is rotated to a second orientation relative to the engagement portion 23. In the second orientation, the barbed portion is retained within the engagement portion 23 and is prevented from being removed from the engagement portion 23. The securing member 20 also includes an end cap 24 having a diameter greater than the diameter of the hole 21. Thus, the end cap 24 of the securing member 20 is prevented from passing through the hole 21. Thus, once the barbed end 22 is received by the engagement portion 23 and the securing member 20 is rotated to the second orientation, the side wall portion 13 is retained in place relative to the side wall 103. To enable removal of the side wall portion 13 of the insulating structure 10 from the side wall 103 , the securing member 20 is rotated back to the first orientation to allow the securing member 20 to be removed from the engagement portion 23 .

[0059] Fig.10 An additional securing member 20 is shown for securing the roof panel portion 11 to the roof panel 101 of the container 2. The securing member 20 includes a pin 25 extending from the roof panel 101 of the container 2. The pin 25 includes an end 26 that is received by an engagement portion 27 of the roof panel portion 11. Once the end 26 is received by the engagement portion 27, the engagement portion 27 can be rotated from a first orientation relative to the roof panel 101 to a second orientation relative to the roof panel 101 so that the engagement portion 27 engages with the end 26 to prevent the end 26 from being removed from the engagement portion 27. In order to remove the roof panel portion 11 from the roof panel 101 of the container 2, the engagement portion 27 is rotated from the second orientation back to the first orientation, which releases the end 26 of the pin 25 and allows the roof panel portion 11 to be removed without causing structural damage to the roof panel portion 11 or the container 2.

[0060] Fig.11 An alternative example of a shipping container 2 including an insulating structure 10 is shown. Fig.11In the example of FIG. 1 , the roof portion 11, the floor portion 12, and the wall portion 13 of the insulation structure 10 are not fixed to the container 2 using the fixing members 20 discussed above, but are held in place relative to the container 2 by brackets 31 disposed between adjacent portions of the insulation structure 10. The brackets 31 have a substantially arcuate shape and are disposed in corners of the interior 14 of the insulation structure, between the roof portion 11 and the two side wall portions 13, and between the floor portion 12 and the two side wall portions 13. The brackets 31 are removably fixed to the corresponding portions of the insulation structure 10 to allow the brackets 31 to be removed without causing structural damage to the insulation structure 10. A first side of each bracket 31 is fixed to one of the roof portion 11 or the floor portion 12, and a second side is fixed to a corresponding one of the side wall portions 13. The brackets 31 allow the insulation structure 10 to have structural rigidity without directly fixing the portions of the insulation structure 10 to the container 2. Therefore, any forces that the container 2 may be subjected to (e.g., such as twisting / torsion of the container 10) will not immediately affect the insulation structure 10. This can protect the insulation structure 10 from being damaged by forces applied to the container 2 .

[0061] Although in the above examples, the various parts of the insulation structure 10 are assembled inside the container 2, in some examples, the various parts of the insulation structure 10 are constructed into the insulation structure 10 outside the container 2 (i.e., before being inserted into the container 2). The entire insulation structure 10 can then be slid into the container 2 and secured to the container 2, which can allow the entire insulation structure 10 to be easily inserted into and removed from the container 2.

[0062] Exemplary embodiments of the invention have been discussed with particular reference to the illustrated examples. However, it will be appreciated that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Although the above is discussed with respect to shipping containers, in other examples, the container is another type of intermodal container, such as a freight container.

Claims

1. A container assembly, comprising: intermodal containers; as well as An insulating structure comprising aerogel, wherein the insulating structure is removably secured to an interior of the intermodal container, and wherein the insulating structure includes an interior for receiving cargo.

2. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the insulation structure comprises a plurality of layers, and at least one of the layers comprises the aerogel.

3. The container assembly of claim 2, wherein multiple layers of the plurality of layers comprise the aerogel.

4. The container assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the thermal insulation structure comprises two layers of steel and the aerogel is disposed between the two layers of steel.

5. The container assembly of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the insulating structure includes an inner surface defining the interior of the insulating structure, and the inner surface includes grooves for directing fluid flow through the interior.

6. The container assembly of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the insulation structure substantially fills the interior of the intermodal container.

7. The container assembly according to claim 6, wherein the insulation structure comprises a roof portion, a floor portion and at least two opposing wall portions, wherein a thickness of the roof portion is different from a thickness of the floor portion and / or the wall portion.

8. The container assembly of claim 7, wherein the insulation structure includes a support assembly for supporting the roof portion.

9. A container assembly according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the intermodal container includes a recessed floor for accommodating the floor portion of the insulating structure.

10. The container assembly of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the insulation structure is removably secured to the intermodal container by a securing device, the securing device comprising a securing member extending through a hole in the insulation structure and received by an engagement portion of the intermodal container.

11. The container assembly of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the intermodal container comprises a refrigeration unit.

12. The container assembly of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the intermodal container comprises a shipping container.

13. An intermodal container insulation assembly comprising: a plurality of walls defining an interior volume, the plurality of walls comprising an insulating material; a securing device for removably securing the insulation assembly to an interior of an intermodal container; as well as A connector is provided for connecting to a refrigeration unit so that the interior volume is in fluid communication with the refrigeration unit.

14. The intermodal container insulation assembly of claim 13, wherein the insulation material comprises aerogel.

15. The intermodal container insulation assembly of claim 13 or claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of walls comprises a plurality of layers, and at least one of the layers comprises the aerogel.

16. The intermodal container insulation assembly of claim 15, wherein multiple layers of the plurality of layers comprise the aerogel.

17. The intermodal container insulation assembly of any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein an interior surface of the plurality of walls includes grooves for directing fluid flow through the interior volume.

18. The intermodal container insulation assembly of claim 17, wherein the inner surface includes a plurality of grooves.

19. The intermodal container insulation assembly of any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the plurality of walls have different thicknesses.

20. An intermodal container comprising an insulating material removably attached to an interior of the intermodal container, wherein the insulating material comprises aerogel.

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