Refrigerated container
A refrigerated container
or reefer is an intermodal
container (shipping
container) used in
intermodal freight transport
that is capable of
refrigeration for the
transportation of
temperature-sensitive,
perishable cargo such as
A Maersk Line reefer container on a
fruits, vegetables, meat, semi-trailer truck
fish, seafood, and other
similar items.
Containers loaded on a
container ship with the
While a reefer will have an
refrigeration units visible
integral refrigeration unit,
they rely on external
power, from electrical power points (“reefer points”) at a
land-based site, a container ship or on quay. When being
transported over the road on a trailer or over rail wagon, they
can be powered from diesel powered generators ("gen sets")
which attach to the container whilst on road journeys.
Refrigerated containers are capable of controlling temperature Interior of a refrigerated container
ranging from −65 °C (−85 °F) up to 40 °C (104 °F).[1]
Some reefers are equipped with a water cooling system,
which can be used if the reefer is stored below deck on a
vessel without adequate ventilation to remove the heat
generated.[2]
Water cooling systems are more expensive than air current
ventilation to remove heat from cargo holds, and the use of
water cooling systems is declining.[1] Air cooling and water
cooling are usually combined.
Reefer containers of Maersk Line and
The impact on society of reefer containers is vast, allowing
Hamburg Süd
consumers all over the world to enjoy fresh produce at any
time of year and experience previously unavailable fresh
produce from many other parts of the world.
Cryogenic cooling
Another refrigeration system sometimes used where the
journey time is short is total loss refrigeration, in which
frozen carbon dioxide ice (or sometimes liquid nitrogen) is
used for cooling.[3] The cryogenically frozen gas slowly
evaporates, and thus cools the container and is vented from it.
The container is cooled for as long as there is frozen gas
available in the system. These have been used in railcars for
many years, providing up to 17 days temperature Reefer sockets used to power reefer
regulation.[4] Whilst refrigerated containers are not common containers
for air transport, total loss dry ice systems are usually used. [3]
These containers have a chamber which is loaded with solid
carbon dioxide and the temperature is regulated by a thermostatically controlled electric fan, and the air
freight versions are intended to maintain temperature for up to around 100 hours.[5]
Full-size intermodal containers equipped with these "cryogenic" systems can maintain their temperature
for the 30 days needed for sea transport.[4] Since they do not require an external power supply,
cryogenically refrigerated containers can be stored anywhere on any vessel that can accommodate "dry"
(un-refrigerated) ocean freight containers.
Redundant refrigeration
Valuable, temperature-sensitive, or hazardous cargo often
require the utmost in system reliability. This type of reliability
can only be achieved through the installation of a redundant
refrigeration system.
A redundant refrigeration system consists of integrated
primary and back-up refrigeration units. If the primary unit
malfunctions, the secondary unit automatically starts. To
provide reliable power to the refrigeration units, these
containers are often fitted with one or more diesel generator
sets.
Containers fitted with these systems may be required for A container fitted with two refrigeration
units and a single diesel generator
transporting certain dangerous goods in order to comply with
the International Maritime Organization’s regulations.
Reefer types and dimensions
The reefers have the same dimensions as intermodal containers and thus can be loaded in double-stack on
rail flatcar.
See also
Cold chain
Reefer ship
Refrigerator car
Refrigerator truck
Thermal insulation
Reefer container housing units
References
1. "Bewaking temperatuur tijdens transport van levensmiddelen over grote afstanden. (NL)" (ht
tps://[Link]/txmpub/files/?p_file_id=38505). Innotact Consulting B.V. October 2008.
Retrieved 2015-06-30.
2. "Reefer container meaning and definition" ([Link]
ner-meaning-and-definition/). Alconet Containers. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
3. "Refrigerated transport: Progress achieved and challenges to be met" ([Link]
rg/web/20100820165445/[Link] (PDF). International Institute
of Refrigeration. August 2003. Archived from the original ([Link]
f) (PDF) on 2010-08-20. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
4. "History" ([Link]
[Link]). Cryo-Power Enterprises LLC. Archived from the original ([Link]
[Link]/[Link]) on June 27, 2009.
5. Refrigerated container with temperature control RKN series and RAP series Operation
manual ([Link]
rotainer_operation_manual.pdf) (PDF). Envirotainer Engineering. August 2001. Archived
from the original ([Link] (PDF)
on 2017-10-08. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
Retrieved from "[Link]
