Refrigerated Railroad Car Design for Shipping Frozen Meat Using Alternative Refrigerants

Refrigerated railroad cars, known as reefers, are railroad rolling stock designed to carry perishable freight at specific temperatures. They are insulated boxcars that keep the cargo at a regulated temperature. As soon as railroad cars had the capability to keep a load cold, the potential growth of the meat, dairy, fruit and brewery industries became nearly unlimited. In this paper, a cold-room system in a railroad car was investigated as a case study to illustrate the use of the sample model. The change of substitute refrigerants and insulation thickness of the cold rooms’ refrigeration system was also considered in the model. The coefficient of performance (COP), refrigerant flow rate and capacities of each component of the refrigeration system were calculated for the refrigerants R12, R22, R134a, R290, R410A, R430A, R431A, R436A, R507A, R600a as part of this analysis. As a result of the energy analyses, all of the substitute refrigerants have a slightly lower COP and require higher compressor work than R12 and R22 for a condensation temperature of 40°C. The frozen meats have an evaporation temperature of −25°C related to the preserved product in the case studies. Influences of the insulation thickness of the wall on evaporator capacity and outside temperature of various cities on the condenser are also studied.

The Rebirth of Airships

Until the outbreak of the Second World War, uncertainty existed whether airships and airplanes would dominate intercontinental passenger transportation. The massive investments in fixed-wing aircraft during these hostilities made airplanes the decisive winner, and relegated airships to a negligible role in transportation. As the 21st Century progresses, airships are making a comeback fueled by the 21st Century progresses, airships are making a comeback fueled by the growing demand for air cargo, the unique environmental and operational characteristics of buoyant flight, and advances in engineering science and materials. This paper examines the market niche for airships that exists between air and marine transport and the inherent advantages and disadvantages of this mode of transportation. The economics of airships are considered in light of their past achievements and current designs. The paper concludes with the discussion of two potential applications. A long haul mission for airships between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland is considered for perishable freight, and a short haul mission for airships in northern Canada is considered for the transport of freight and passengers to remote communities.