Modeling, Testing, and Analysis of Volvo Truck Tractor Cabins (Final Report)
Annual fuel use for sleeper cab truck rest period idling is estimated at 667 million gallons in the United States, or 6.8% of long-haul truck fuel use. Truck idling during a rest period represents zero freight efficiency and is largely done to supply accessory power for climate conditioning of the cab. This project aimed to reduce heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) loads and resulting fuel use from rest period idling by using efficient long-haul truck thermal management systems while maintaining occupant comfort. Enhancing the thermal performance of cab/sleepers will enable smaller, lighter, and more cost-effective idle reduction solutions. In addition, if the fuel savings provide a one- to three-year payback period, fleet owners will be economically motivated to incorporate them. This project evaluated several promising candidate technologies through experimentation and modeling to determine their effectiveness in reducing rest period HVAC loads. Load reduction strategies were grouped into the focus areas of solar envelope, occupant environment, conductive pathways, and efficient equipment. Technologies in each of these focus areas were investigated. The most promising of these technologies were then combined with the goal of exceeding a 30% reduction in HVAC loads. These technologies included 'ultra-white' paint, advanced insulation, and advanced curtain design. This project showed more than a 35.7% reduction in rest period idle air conditioning loads using thermal load reduction technologies. Overall heat transfer coefficient testing during cab heating, showed a 43% reduction in heating load using this technology package.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Volvo Trucks North America, Greensboro, NC (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation. Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC36-08GO28308
- OSTI ID:
- 1475128
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/TP-5400-72456; CRD-09-361
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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