RRCAT and Tata Motors Ltd. sign Incubation agreement to develop Next Generation Refrigeration Technology for Vehicular Application

On 17 April, 2021, Incubation Centre RRCAT and Tata Motors Limited (TML), India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer signed an incubation agreement to jointly develop next generation refrigeration technology for vehicles and cold chain transports in the category of chilled, frozen and cryogenic temperature range. This will be widely used for transportation of perishable goods, fruits & vegetables, pharmaceuticals & most importantly vaccines. Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) based refrigeration system - SHIVAY (शीतल वाहक यन्त्र) will bring benefits at the doorsteps of every section of society echoing our commitment towards ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’.

At present the diesel-powered and chlorofluoro carbon based refrigerated trucks are dominantly used in cold chain for transportation. This joint working will help to develop eco-friendly Liquid nitrogen based vehicular level refrigeration system which will not only enhance the total cost of ownership but also maintain life & freshness of the goods and efficacy of vaccines during transit.

After signing agreement, Shri. Debashis Das, Then Director RRCAT told that “The incubation agreement signed with Tata Motors Limited (TML) for jointly developing the LN2 based refrigeration system technologies (SHIVAY) developed by RRCAT for vehicular applications to transport fruits and vegetables (F&V), pharmaceuticals and other similar products is a significant step towards percolation of DAE technologies in the country under the “Atma Nirbhar Bharat” mission of Government of India. He expressed his confidence that SHIVAY technologies of RRCAT will find wider use in cold-chain transportation through this initiative of TML."

On the occasion, Shri. Aniruddha Kulkarni, Vice President & Head CV Engg, Tata Motors Ltd informed that “Tata Motors always pioneers new products through structured approach of technology creation and deployment by leveraging innovation and consistently driving towards energy efficient vehicles to reduce carbon footprint for environment sustainability. Incubation for SHIVAY would catalyse development of future technologies in vehicular level refrigeration system & cold chain transportation which will be deployed across multiple platforms of Tata Motors Commercial Vehicle”

LN2 based refrigeration system - SHIVAY-V

The incubation agreement is signed as per recently formulated policy and guidelines for DAE Incubation Centres. It includes technology transfer of both SHIVAY and SHIVAY-V, and subsequent development for Tata vehicles in three variants: Small Commercial Vehicle (SCV), Intermediate Light Commercial Vehicle (ILCV) and Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicle (MHCV). It may be noted that the lowest temperature for SHIVAY is -20 Deg.C, while it is -70 Deg.C for SHIVAY-V.

The incubation agreement was signed through virtual meeting by Shri. Debashis Das, Then Director, RRCAT and Shri. Aniruddha Kulkarni, Vice President & Head CV Engineering, Tata Motors Ltd. The meeting was also attended by Shri. S V Nakhe Director Laser Group, Shri. Prashant Khare Technology Developer, Dr. C P Paul, Convener, Incubation Centre RRCAT & other RRCAT delegates, while Mr. Rajeev Dave, Head - Application Engineering, and other TML delegates attended from TML.