Cooling system for storing and cooling products during transport on a refrigerated transport vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooling system which uses carbon dioxide as a coolant, comprising a cooling chamber for storing products which are to be cooled during transport and comprising a cooling unit for cooling the atmosphere in the cooling chamber. The cooling system is mounted on a refrigerated vehicle, such as a delivery truck for example, preferably the cooling system is detachably mounted or integrated therein. The cooling unit comprises a carbon dioxide storage compartment for storing carbon dioxide snow and a flow path for cooling air, the flow path extending between a cooling air supply line and a cooling air discharge line. In the cooling unit, the air to be cooled directly or indirectly thermally contacts the carbon dioxide snow, and the carbon dioxide, which sublimates upon thermally contacting the cooling air, then enters the cooling chamber together with the flow of cooled air.

Description

[0001] MG 24334 09.12.2024

[0002] 1

[0003] Cooling system for storing and cooling products during transport on a refrigerated transport vehicle

[0004] The invention relates to a cooling system for storing and cooling products during transport in a refrigerated vehicle. The invention further relates to a transport vehicle equipped with a cooling system.

[0005] Refrigerated transport vehicles, such as refrigerated trucks or rail freight cars, are equipped with cooling systems for transporting temperature-sensitive products. Such a system typically consists of one or more refrigerated compartments mounted on a chassis or integrated into the vehicle body. These compartments allow temperature-sensitive goods to be transported either chilled (at temperatures of, for example, 4°C to 10°C) or frozen (at temperatures below 0°C). Cooling units based on conventional compression refrigeration machines are most commonly used to cool the atmosphere within the refrigerated compartment. However, the use of such equipment is increasingly being questioned due to its high noise levels and the pollutant emissions from the diesel generators typically used to power the compressor.

[0006] Alternatively, a cryogenic medium, such as liquid nitrogen, can be used as a refrigerant to cool the atmosphere in the refrigerated compartment. In refrigerated vehicles, the liquid nitrogen is stored in a thermally insulated refrigerant tank on board. The liquid nitrogen is passed through a heat exchanger mounted in the refrigerated compartment, thus bringing it into indirect thermal contact with the atmosphere inside. The nitrogen then evaporates and is subsequently released into the ambient atmosphere. Examples of such transport refrigeration systems are described in WO 2011 / 141287 A1, EP 1 659 355 A2, GB 2 275 098 A, and EP 2 384 916 A2.While such systems are increasingly common in larger refrigerated transport vehicles, their use in smaller vans or delivery vehicles is hardly economically feasible due to the high weight of the refrigerant tanks and the safety requirements for handling liquid nitrogen. MG 24334 09.12.2024.

[0007] 2

[0008] From EP 3 686 524 A1, a transport refrigeration system and a corresponding refrigerated vehicle are known that operate with carbon dioxide as the cooling medium. The refrigeration system has a refrigerated compartment for the goods to be cooled and a cooling unit for cooling the refrigerated compartment. The cooling unit comprises a carbon dioxide storage compartment filled with carbon dioxide snow during operation and at least one cooling channel through which air from the refrigerated compartment is conveyed. A highly thermally conductive, but gas-tight plate is arranged between the carbon dioxide storage compartment and the cooling channel, serving as a heat exchanger surface for indirect heat exchange between the carbon dioxide snow and the air in the cooling channel. The carbon dioxide sublimated during the heat exchange is released into the ambient atmosphere. This arrangement allows for thorough cooling of the refrigerated compartment and, at the same time, safe access to it, since no carbon dioxide enters the refrigerated compartment during the cooling process.However, a disadvantage is the comparatively large space requirement of the cooling unit, which is particularly noticeable in small refrigerated transport vehicles.

[0009] The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a cooling system based on cryogenic cooling with carbon dioxide snow as a coolant, which operates reliably, is easy to install and is particularly suitable for installation in smaller refrigerated vehicles or vans.

[0010] This objective is achieved with a cooling system having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are claimed in the dependent claims.

[0011] A cooling system according to the invention for storing and cooling products during transport on a refrigerated transport vehicle comprises a cooling chamber for holding goods to be cooled and a cooling unit for cooling an atmosphere in the cooling chamber, wherein the cooling unit has a carbon dioxide storage compartment equipped with thermally insulated walls for storing carbon dioxide snow, which is connected to a supply line for feeding liquid carbon dioxide into the MG 24334 09.12.2024

[0012] 3

[0013] The carbon dioxide storage compartment is equipped with a gas outlet for removing carbon dioxide gas sublimating in the carbon dioxide storage compartment, wherein the supply line extends between a connection nozzle for the detachable connection of a liquid carbon dioxide filling device and an expansion device arranged within the carbon dioxide storage compartment, wherein the cooling unit is equipped with a cooling air supply line for supplying air to be cooled (here also called "cooling air") from the atmosphere of the cooling chamber and a cooling air outlet for supplying cooled air into the atmosphere of the cooling chamber, between which a flow path for the cooling air extends, wherein the flow path is guided through the cooling unit in such a way thatthat in the operation of the cooling system, the cooling air is guided along a surface of a mass of carbon dioxide snow located in the carbon dioxide storage compartment and / or along a heat exchanger surface thermally connected to the carbon dioxide snow in the carbon dioxide storage compartment, wherein the gas discharge of the carbon dioxide storage compartment is flow-connected to the cooling chamber.

[0014] In the operation of the cooling system, the carbon dioxide storage compartment is first filled with carbon dioxide snow. For this purpose, the connection nozzle of the supply line, which is permanently attached to the carbon dioxide storage compartment, is connected to a preferably stationary liquid carbon dioxide filling device. For occupational safety reasons, the connection nozzle may be positioned below the carbon dioxide storage compartment, for example, at the level of the chassis of a transport vehicle, while the cooling chamber and cooling unit are mounted on the chassis. Liquid carbon dioxide is then introduced into the carbon dioxide storage compartment via the supply line. For example, the liquid carbon dioxide filling device has a tank in which liquid carbon dioxide is stored at ambient temperature or in a chilled state and at a pressure of more than 5.18 bar (e.g., 6–20 bar).The liquid carbon dioxide filling device can include a tank system that allows for precise measurement of the amount of carbon dioxide drawn from the stationary tank. MG 24334 09.12.2024.

[0015] 4

[0016] The supplied liquid carbon dioxide expands at the expansion device and transitions into a mixture of carbon dioxide snow and carbon dioxide gas.

[0017] The expansion device is preferably equipped with a nozzle arrangement designed to distribute the carbon dioxide snow as evenly as possible within the carbon dioxide storage compartment. While the carbon dioxide snow remains predominantly within the carbon dioxide storage compartment, the carbon dioxide gas produced during the expansion of the liquid carbon dioxide is routed via the gas outlet of the carbon dioxide storage compartment into the cooling chamber, where it cools the atmosphere. Once the carbon dioxide storage compartment has been filled with carbon dioxide snow to a predetermined level, the liquid carbon dioxide filling valve is disconnected from the connection. A refrigerated vehicle equipped with the cooling system is now mobile and can be used to supply customers with refrigerated goods (operational phase).

[0018] During operation, cooling air is continuously drawn from the cooling chamber through the cooling unit and cooled by thermal contact with the carbon dioxide snow. According to the invention, this is achieved by directing the flow of the cooling air along a heat exchanger surface in thermal contact with the carbon dioxide snow in the carbon dioxide storage compartment (indirect contact) and / or along a surface of a mass of carbon dioxide snow located in the carbon dioxide storage compartment (direct contact). The cooling air transfers heat to the carbon dioxide snow and, cooled, flows back into the cooling chamber via the cooling air outlet. The carbon dioxide, which sublimates upon thermal contact with the cooling air, is also directed into the cooling chamber during both direct and indirect heat exchange.The gas outlet from the carbon dioxide storage compartment is connected to the cooling chamber and either leads directly into the cooling chamber or into the cooling air outlet, which in turn leads into the cooling chamber. In the case of direct contact between the cooling air and the carbon dioxide snow in the carbon dioxide storage compartment, the gas outlet and the cooling air outlet can also be identical.

[0019] In this way, the cooling capacity of the sublimating carbon dioxide is particularly utilized, thereby increasing the cooling efficiency compared to indirectly cooling systems, MG 24334 09.12.2024

[0020] 5, where the sublimating carbon dioxide is released into the ambient atmosphere, is significantly increased. Furthermore, the technically complex fluid separation between carbon dioxide on the one hand and cooling air on the other is eliminated. The cooling system according to the invention is therefore particularly suitable for smaller trucks and vans whose refrigerated compartments are dimensioned and / or designed so that they do not need to be entered by a user during loading and unloading.

[0021] The cooling unit is preferably located within the cooling chamber. Furthermore, a heating system may be provided within the cooling chamber to compensate for low outside temperatures in winter and / or to enable rapid heating of the cooling chamber during maintenance. The temperature in the cooling chamber can be regulated by an electronic control unit that interacts with a conveying device, such as a fan, in the airflow path of the cooling air.

[0022] To prevent large quantities of carbon dioxide snow from entering the cooling chamber, particularly during the filling of the carbon dioxide storage compartment, the gas outlet and / or the cooling air outlet are preferably equipped with filter media to retain the carbon dioxide snow. While the carbon dioxide snow is retained by the filter media in the carbon dioxide storage compartment, the carbon dioxide gas escapes into the atmosphere of the cooling chamber via the gas outlet, thus cooling it even during the filling of the carbon dioxide storage compartment. If the gas outlet opens into the cooling air outlet, the filter media can also be located in the cooling air outlet, downstream of the gas outlet's inlet. If the gas outlet and cooling air outlet are fluidically separated, filter media in the gas outlet are sufficient.

[0023] The cooling air supply and / or the cooling air outlet is / are preferably equipped with means for conveying the cooling air. These means can be, for example, a fan, a blower, or an air pump, or several of them. Such conveying means can also serve, in particular, to regulate the flow rate of cooling air and thus the heat transfer from the cooling air to the carbon dioxide snow. For example, the performance of the conveying means can be adjusted depending on MG 24334 09.12.2024

[0024] 6. A temperature measured by suitable sensors in the cooling chamber is varied and automatically controlled by a control unit.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a heat exchanger surface, thermally connected to the cooling air flow path, is provided in the carbon dioxide storage compartment for the indirect transfer of heat from the cooling air to the carbon dioxide snow. During operation of the device, the cooling air is guided past the heat exchanger surface and releases heat to it, which is then dissipated to the carbon dioxide snow. The carbon dioxide, which sublimates upon contact with the heat, escapes into the atmosphere of the cooling chamber via the gas outlet.

[0026] Another advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the cooling air flow path is guided at least partially through the carbon dioxide storage compartment, with direct contact being established between the cooling air and a mass of carbon dioxide snow present in the carbon dioxide storage compartment on a snow surface. For example, the carbon dioxide storage compartment is filled with carbon dioxide snow only up to a predetermined fill level, while above this fill level an area remains through which the cooling air can flow and thus constitutes part of the cooling air flow path. The carbon dioxide, which sublimates upon thermal contact, then enters the cooling chamber together with the cooling air.

[0027] Preferably, thermally conductive transfer elements for transferring heat from the air to be cooled to the carbon dioxide snow are arranged in the cooling air flow path, preferably within the carbon dioxide storage compartment. These transfer elements are preferably components with a large surface area, such as cylinders or plates, made of a thermally conductive material, over which the cooling air is guided and / or which extend the cooling air flow path in the cooling unit, such as guide vanes. The transfer elements are, for example, immersed in the carbon dioxide snow and project from it into the cooling air flow path, or they are thermally connected to a heat exchanger surface that is thermally connected to the carbon dioxide snow. MG 24334 09.12.2024

[0028] 7

[0029] Since the atmosphere of the cooling chamber becomes enriched with carbon dioxide over time during operation of the cooling system, a preferred embodiment of the invention provides for the cooling system to be designed such that the cooling chamber does not need to be entered by a person to load or unload the products to be cooled. For example, the cooling chamber is equipped with a plurality of access doors arranged in one or more side walls of the cooling chamber, and means are provided for making the goods to be cooled available within arm's reach of the access doors. For example, a rack with compartments is mounted inside the cooling chamber, which an operator can access by reaching through an access door without having to enter the cooling chamber.

[0030] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cooling chamber is divided into several thermally at least partially separated compartments, all of which are cooled by the same cooling unit, but are thermally at least partially separated from one another, thus enabling the transport of products at different temperatures. The at least partial thermal separation of the compartments can be achieved, for example, by having a first compartment of the cooling chamber cooled directly by the cooling unit and thermally connected to at least a second compartment only via a heat exchanger surface or via a small flow connection that allows only a comparatively small exchange of the atmospheres between the two compartments.A cooling system according to the invention can, for example, be used to simultaneously cool a first compartment filled with frozen products (with temperatures of about -18°C) and a second compartment filled with fresh products (with temperatures between 2°C and 10°C).

[0031] The cooling system according to the invention is particularly suitable for cooling goods such as food or pharmaceutical products during transport in a transport vehicle. For this purpose, the cooling system can be installed on or in a transport vehicle, such as a truck, a trailer, a van, a railway wagon, or a ship. In the case of trucks, the cooling system according to the invention is suitable MG 24334 09.12.2024

[0032] 8. Especially for mounting on smaller trucks or vans. The cooling compartment preferably has a volume of between 2m³ 3 and 15m 3 'preferably between 3m3 and 10m 3 , especially preferred between 4m 3 and 8m 3 Preferably, products can be transported in the cooling chamber at temperatures between -20°C and +10°C and kept at these temperatures for a period of 12 to 24 hours; in the case of the embodiment described above with several compartments, also simultaneously at different temperatures in this range.

[0033] The present invention also seeks protection for a transport vehicle equipped with a cooling system according to the invention. This could be, for example, a truck, a trailer, a van, a refrigerated railway wagon, or a ship. The cooling system can be integrated into the vehicle body or detachably mounted on the chassis as a cooling box or container (also referred to in technical language as a "refrigerated box body") and, in particular, have the aforementioned volume and transport temperature ranges. A filling station equipped with a storage tank for liquid carbon dioxide and a filling device connectable to the liquid carbon dioxide connection nozzle is preferably used to refuel the cooling system with carbon dioxide snow.

[0034] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the drawings. The schematic representations show:

[0035] Fig. 1: A device according to the invention mounted on a transport vehicle

[0036] Cooling system in a first embodiment shown in a sectional view,

[0037] Fig. 2: A device according to the invention mounted on a transport vehicle

[0038] Cooling system in a second embodiment shown in a sectional view.

[0039] The cooling system 1 shown in Fig. 1 is permanently mounted on the chassis of a transport vehicle, e.g., a truck 2, for example as a refrigerated box body. The cooling system 1 comprises a cooling chamber 3 with a volume of, for example, 4 m³. 3 up to 15m 3 , which serves for the storage of goods that will be used during MG 24334 09.12.2024

[0040] 9

[0041] Items that need to be refrigerated during transport, such as fresh or frozen food, pharmaceuticals, or other temperature-sensitive products, are stored in cold storage room 3, which is equipped with well-insulated walls.

[0042] Optionally, the cold storage chamber 3 can be divided into several compartments 4 and 5. For example, as shown in the drawings, there can be a front compartment 4 and a rear compartment 5, separated from each other by a thermally conductive, yet airtight, but thermally conductive partition 6. For example, compartment 5 is accessible through a rear door 7 and can be entered by a person, while the front compartment 4 is equipped with a plurality of side doors 8a, 8b, 8c, and 8d through which products to be cooled can be placed in or removed from a rack located inside compartment 4 (not shown here) without requiring a person to enter compartment 4. The separation of compartments 4 and 5 allows products to be transported at different temperatures.For example, the atmosphere in compartment 4 is cooled to a temperature of -18°C for a period of 12 to 24 hours, as described in more detail below, while the atmosphere in compartment 5 is cooled relatively little by the partition 6, which has only a low thermal conductivity, and has a temperature between +5°C and +10°C, for example.

[0043] The cooling chamber 3 is cooled by means of a cooling unit 10, in which cooling is generated by the evaporation or sublimation of carbon dioxide. The cooling unit 10, located within the cooling chamber 3, has a thermally well-insulated carbon dioxide storage compartment 11 for holding carbon dioxide snow 12. Carbon dioxide is supplied to the carbon dioxide storage compartment 11 via a carbon dioxide supply line 13, which is permanently anchored in the cooling system 1, for example, attached to or in the wall of the cooling chamber 3. This supply line is a pressure-resistant line for supplying liquid carbon dioxide. It begins at a connection nozzle 14 and ends at a nozzle assembly 15 inside the carbon dioxide storage compartment 11. For safety reasons, the connection nozzle 14 is preferably located in the lower part of the chassis of the truck 2, even and especially when the cooling unit 10 is located in an upper part of the cooling chamber 3. MG 24334 09.12.2024

[0044] 10

[0045] The cooling unit 10 is equipped with a cooling air supply line 16, which begins at approximately the level of the bottom of the carbon dioxide storage compartment 11 at a feed opening opening into the cooling chamber 3, rises along the front of the carbon dioxide storage compartment 11, and exits into the carbon dioxide storage compartment 11 in an upper region. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, a conveying device, for example a blower 17, is arranged in the cooling air supply line 16. Furthermore, a cooling air outlet 18, equipped with a filter 19, opens from an upper region of the carbon dioxide storage compartment 11. "Upper region" here means a region above a predetermined fill level of carbon dioxide snow 12 in the carbon dioxide storage compartment 11; thus, in operation of the cooling unit 10, the upper region of the carbon dioxide storage compartment 11 between the cooling air supply line 16 and the cooling air outlet 18 forms a flow path 20 for the cooling air.

[0046] Furthermore, a plurality of thermal transfer elements 22a, 22b, 22c are arranged within the cooling unit 10. The transfer elements 22a, 22b, 22c are, for example, flow-guiding elements or, for example, cylindrical bodies made of a thermally conductive material, which are attached in the roof space of the carbon dioxide storage compartment 11 and, in the intended use of the cooling unit 10, are immersed in the carbon dioxide snow 12.

[0047] The cooling system 1 is operated as follows. Before the cooling unit 10 can be used to cool products in the cooling chamber 3, the carbon dioxide storage compartment 11 must be filled with carbon dioxide snow. For this purpose, the connection nozzle 14 is connected to a filling device (not shown here) in which liquid carbon dioxide is stored at a pressure of more than 5.18 bar. The liquid carbon dioxide from the filling device flows through the supply line 13 and exits at the nozzle assembly 15 into the carbon dioxide storage compartment 11, where it expands and becomes a mixture of carbon dioxide gas and carbon dioxide snow. During the supply of the liquid carbon dioxide, the filter 19 ensures that the carbon dioxide snow is retained in the carbon dioxide snow storage compartment 11, while the carbon dioxide gas is directed via the cooling air outlet 18 into compartment 4 of the cooling chamber 3. The cooling air outlet 18 thus functions MG 24334 09.12.2024

[0048] 11 also serves as a gas outlet for the removal of the carbon dioxide gas produced in the carbon dioxide storage compartment 11. The carbon dioxide gas mixes with the atmosphere present in compartment 4 and cools it. After the carbon dioxide storage compartment 11 is filled with a predetermined quantity of carbon dioxide snow, the connecting nozzle 16 is disconnected from the filling device and sealed gas-tight.

[0049] To cool the goods in the cold storage chamber 3 during transport, air (cooling air) is continuously drawn from the atmosphere of compartment 4 by means of the blower 17 in the direction of the arrow through the cooling air supply line 16 and through the flow path 20 to the cooling air outlet 18. The cooling air comes into direct contact with the carbon dioxide snow 12 at a snow surface 23.

[0050] The cooling air transfers heat to the carbon dioxide snow 12, whereby a portion of the carbon dioxide snow 12 sublimates and escapes as cold carbon dioxide gas along with the cooled air via the cooling air outlet 18 into compartment 4 of the cooling chamber 3. The transfer elements 22a, 22b, 22c, which are immersed in the carbon dioxide snow 12 and extend through the flow path 20, support the heat transfer. By regulating the blower 17 as a function of a measured temperature using a control unit (not shown here), the temperature in compartment 4 can be regulated to a predetermined value, for example, minus 18°C.

[0051] The atmosphere in compartment 5 of cooling chamber 3 has no airflow connection with the atmosphere in compartment 4 and is therefore cooled only via the thermally conductive wall 6. Consequently, the temperature there is higher than in compartment 4 and, for example, has a value between 2°C and 10°C.

[0052] The cold chamber 3 also includes a heater 24 for heating the cold chamber 3, if required, and a drainage system 25 for draining condensate from the cold chamber 3.

[0053] The cooling system 27 shown in Fig. 2 differs from the cooling system 1 in Fig. 1 only by a different cooling unit 28. Like the cooling unit 10, the cooling unit 28 also has a carbon dioxide storage compartment 29 for storing carbon dioxide snow 12, which is connected to a pressure-resistant carbon dioxide supply line 30, MG 24334 09.12.2024

[0054] The carbon dioxide storage compartment 29 is equipped with a gas line 32 that begins at a connection port 31 and ends at a nozzle assembly 32 within the compartment 4 of the cooling chamber 3. Furthermore, the carbon dioxide storage compartment 29 has a gas outlet 33 leading into compartment 4 of the cooling chamber 3 for the removal of carbon dioxide gas. A filter 34 is installed in the gas outlet 33.

[0055] The carbon dioxide storage compartment 29 is equipped on its bottom side with a heat exchanger surface 35, which is at least partially made of a thermally conductive material. The heat exchanger surface 35 fluidically separates the carbon dioxide storage compartment 29 from a flow path 36 for cooling air, which extends along the underside of the carbon dioxide storage compartment 29 along the heat exchanger surface 35 between a cooling air supply line 37 and a cooling air outlet 38. A fan 39 is arranged in the cooling air outlet 38.

[0056] The cooling system 27 is operated as follows. The carbon dioxide storage compartment 29 is filled, similarly to the cooling system 10, by supplying liquid carbon dioxide via the supply line 30 and expanding the liquid carbon dioxide at the nozzle assembly 32, whereby the filter 34 ensures that the resulting carbon dioxide snow is retained in the carbon dioxide snow storage compartment 29, while the resulting carbon dioxide gas flows into the compartment 4 of the cooling chamber 3 via the gas outlet 33.

[0057] For continuous cooling during transport, cooling air is continuously drawn from compartment 4 of the cooling chamber 3 by means of the blower 37, through the cooling air supply line 37, the flow path 35, and the cooling air outlet 38, and back into compartment 4. The cooling air flows along the heat exchanger surface 35 and is thereby cooled by indirect heat exchange with the carbon dioxide snow 12 in the carbon dioxide snow storage compartment 29. Due to the heat input, some of the carbon dioxide snow 12 sublimates to carbon dioxide gas, which flows out via the gas outlet 33, which opens into the cooling air outlet 38, and mixes with the cooling air.

[0058] It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the details of the embodiments shown here. For example, in MG 24334 09.12.2024

[0059] 13

[0060] In the embodiment according to Fig. 2, a blower may also be arranged in the cooling air supply line 37, or in the embodiment according to Fig. 1, in the cooling air outlet 18; likewise, thermal transfer elements that are in direct thermal contact with the carbon dioxide snow 12 may also be provided in the cooling unit 28. Likewise, the partition 6, if present, may be designed to be flow-open, in which case care should be taken to ensure that the compartment 5 is designed in such a way that products to be cooled can be placed in and removed without having to enter the compartment 5.

[0061] MG 24334 09.12.2024

[0062] 14

[0063] Reference list

[0064] 1 Cooling system 21 -

[0065] 2 trucks 22a, 22b, 22c transmission element

[0066] 3 Cold chamber 23 Snow surface

[0067] 4 compartments, 24 heating

[0068] 5 Compartment 25 Drainage system

[0069] 6 Partition wall 26 -

[0070] 7 Rear door 27 Cooling system

[0071] 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d Side door 28 Cooling unit

[0072] 9 29 Carbon dioxide storage compartment

[0073] 10 Cooling unit 30 Carbon dioxide supply line

[0074] 11 Carbon dioxide storage compartments 31 Connection ports

[0075] 12 Carbon dioxide snow 32 Nozzle arrangement

[0076] 13 Carbon dioxide supply line 33 Gas discharge

[0077] 14 connection nozzles 34 filters

[0078] 15 Nozzle arrangement 35 Heat exchanger surface

[0079] 16 Cooling air supply line 36 Flow path

[0080] 17 Blower 37 Cooling air supply line

[0081] 18 Cooling air outlet 38 Cooling air outlet

[0082] 19 filters, 39 blowers

[0083] 20 Flow path

Claims

MG 24334 09.12.2024 15 Patent claims 1. Cooling system for storing and cooling products during transport on a refrigerated transport vehicle, - with a cooling chamber (3) for holding goods to be cooled and with a cooling unit (10, 28) for cooling an atmosphere in the cooling chamber (3), - wherein the cooling unit (10, 28) has a carbon dioxide storage compartment (11, 29) equipped with thermally insulated walls for storing carbon dioxide snow (12), which is equipped with a supply line (13, 30) for supplying liquid carbon dioxide into the carbon dioxide storage compartment (11, 29) and with a gas outlet (33) for removing carbon dioxide sublimating in the carbon dioxide storage compartment (11, 29), - wherein the supply line (13, 30) extends between a connection nozzle (14, 31) for the detachable connection of a liquid carbon dioxide filling device and an expansion device arranged within the carbon dioxide storage compartment (11, 29), - wherein the cooling unit (10, 28) is equipped with a cooling air supply line (16, 37) for supplying air to be cooled (cooling air) from the atmosphere of the cooling chamber (3) and a cooling air outlet (18, 38) for supplying cooled air into the atmosphere of the cooling chamber (3), between which a flow path (20, 36) for the cooling air extends, - wherein the flow path (20, 36) is guided through the cooling unit (10, 28) in such a way that, during operation of the cooling system (1, 27), the cooling air is guided along a surface of a mass of carbon dioxide snow (12) located in the carbon dioxide storage compartment (11, 29) and / or along a heat exchanger surface (35) thermally connected with the carbon dioxide snow (12) in the carbon dioxide storage compartment (11, 29), - wherein the gas outlet (33) of the carbon dioxide storage compartment (11 , 29) is flow-connected to the cooling chamber (3).

2. Cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas discharge (33) and / or the cooling air discharge (18, 38) is / are equipped with filter means (19, 34) for retaining carbon dioxide snow (12). MG 24334 09.12.2024 16 3. Cooling system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that means (17, 39) for conveying the cooling air is / are arranged in the cooling air supply line (16, 37) and / or the cooling air outlet (18, 38).

4. Cooling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a heat exchanger surface (35) is provided in the cooling unit (10, 28) which is thermally connected to the carbon dioxide storage compartment (11, 29) and the flow path (20, 36) of the cooling air for the indirect transfer of heat from the cooling air to the carbon dioxide snow (12).

5. Cooling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow path (20, 36) of the cooling air runs at least sectionally through the carbon dioxide storage compartment (11, 29) in such a way that, in the operation of the cooling system (1, 27), direct contact is established between the cooling air and a mass of carbon dioxide snow (12) present in the carbon dioxide storage compartment on a snow surface.

6. Cooling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that thermally conductive transfer elements (22a, 22b, 22c) are arranged in the flow path of the cooling air (20, 36) for supplying heat from the cooling air to the carbon dioxide snow (12).

7. Cooling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling chamber (3) is equipped with a plurality of access doors (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) and with means for storing the products to be cooled in the area of ​​the access doors (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) during transport.

8. Cooling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling chamber (3) is divided into several thermally at least partially separated compartments (4, 5). MG 24334 09.12.2024 17 9. Cooling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling chamber (3) and the cooling unit (10, 28) are designed for mounting on a transport vehicle (2).

10. Transport vehicle for transporting products requiring cooling, characterized in that it is equipped with a cooling system (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

Images