Grant: Alliance Grants

Some of the gases used as blowing agents of insulating foam (such as HCFs, recently banned from production in Canada but still in use) have a high global warming potential and their use is in phase-down due to the amendment to the Montreal Protocol in 2015. To replace the polyurethane foams used for refrigerated transport vehicles, aerogels are good candidates, they are light and thermally very efficient. They would allow reducing significantly the fuel consumption of vehicles by decreasing their weight and the energy needs. Research is seriously needed in the cold chain, but several factors due to traffic conditions are often out of our control. Improving the isothermal performance of refrigerated transport boxes will directly save the fuel consumed by the refrigeration unit. In addition, this will result in a reduction in fuel consumption of perishable food transport equipment and a cost reduction for consumers. The potential is huge since there are about 5 million refrigerated vehicles in use worldwide. Canada, particularly Far North communities that suffer from supply difficulties, and virtually all countries would benefit from better transport systems to reduce the risk of food and health product losses.