Insulation Characteristics and Energy Consumption Analysis of Refrigerated Trucks Based on New Insulation Material Technology

Thermal insulation is a crucial performance indicator for cold-chain transportation equipment. Improving the thermal insulation performance can effectively reduce transportation energy consumption and, thus, lower costs. To enhance the thermal insulation performance of refrigerated trucks, this study conducted tests, analyzed the insulation performance using high-reflectivity insulation materials, and analyzed energy consumption. The study obtained data on the heat flux through the box, air cooling rate inside the box, and temperature uniformity. The experiments demonstrated that applying high-reflectivity insulation materials reduced the peak temperature of the external wall surface of the box by 23.6 ℃, leading to less heat transfer into the compartment through the roof. In the absence of refrigeration, the proportion of heat flux reduction was 46.3%, while at the set refrigeration temperature of 5 ℃, the reduction ranged from 16.7% to 26%. The insulation material improved the temperature uniformity of the external wall of the compartment to 1.12 and the internal uniformity to 1.68. This simultaneously allows the refrigeration system to reach the set temperature more quickly and maintain a lower temperature more easily. Compartments with insulation materials reduced the operating frequency of the compressor by 9.1%, leading to energy savings and good energy efficiency. The research results provide new insights into the energy-efficient use of cold chain transportation equipment and are relevant for facilities such as granaries and cold storage facilities with insulation requirements.