How Does Transport Refrigeration Work | Get Insights
Transporting perishables has always been challenging because they require specialized transport to reach their destination intact. These products can be spoiled, lose quality, or even become unsafe to consume if not kept within specific temperature ranges. Transport refrigeration is essential for moving perishable products, as it ensures products are delivered fresh and unharmed. The modern supply chain relies on refrigerated transport to get products to consumers in good condition.
The cargo compartment of the refrigerated trucks is sealed to stop the temperature from dropping, and a refrigeration system is used to maintain the desired temperature inside the cargo compartment. The cargo compartment is sealed and insulated with a polymer type of material, which keeps the temperature fairly stable before the reefer system is used. If the reefer system is not running, it will take a while before the temperature in the cargo compartment gets to a problematic level. This blog will look at the products that are transported using refrigerated transportation and how they operate.
Products Carried by Refrigerated Transport
The main purpose of refrigerated vehicles is to keep the products inside fresh and in good shape during transport from the manufacturer to the consumer. Perishable products that are transported in refrigerated trucks include:
| Products Carried by Refrigerated Transport | Ideal Temperature in Refrigerated Transport |
| Fresh Produce (Fruits and Vegetables) | 0°C to 13°C |
| Dairy products | 0.5°C to 3°C |
| Fresh Meat or Poultry | Fresh at -2°C to 0°C, Frozen at -18°C or below |
| Seafood | Fresh at -2°C to 0°C, Frozen at -18°C or below. |
| Bakery Products | 0°C to 5°C |
| Vaccines & Medications | 2°C to 8°C |
| Blood | 1°C to 6°C |
| Floral Products | 0.5°C to 3°C |
How Does Transport Refrigeration Process Work
Let's take a closer look at transport refrigeration now that we know at what temperature the products are carried by the vehicles. Transport refrigeration technology has advanced significantly in recent years, with improved energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact. This system is an essential part of the cold-chain subset of the supply chain. It is used to transport and store goods at specific temperatures to avoid spoilage and to maintain freshness and high quality. Most refrigeration transport is done in the same way. The refrigeration transport system is composed of:
- Insulated Cargo Compartment
- Refrigeration System
Insulated Cargo Compartment
The insulated cargo compartment of a refrigerated truck is made up of materials that have a very low thermal conductivity and the joints are made air-tight because of which the insulated cargo compartment can stop the temperature from dropping.
Refrigeration System
The refrigeration system in a refrigerated truck maintains the required temperature inside the insulated cargo compartment during transportation. This refrigeration system works on the principle of refrigeration which has basic 4 components
- Evaporator
- Compressor
- Condensor
- Expansion Valve
The evaporator is used to extract the heat from the insulated cargo compartment and it is done as the liquid refrigerant inside the evaporator evaporates to vapor state by absorbing the heat inside the insulated cargo compartment.
The vaporized refrigerant is then compressed inside the compressor which results in increasing its pressure which further causes a rise in the temperature of the refrigerant gas.
The high-pressure and high-temperature refrigerant gas then loses its heat in the condenser through an air-cooled heat exchange process which causes a decrease in temperature and changes from high-pressure high-temperature vapor to high-pressure high-temperature liquid refrigerant.
The high-pressure and high-temperature liquid refrigerant is then passed through an expansion valve which causes a decrease in pressure resulting in a drop in temperature after that the liquid refrigerant is passed through the evaporator and the cycle continues.
This is just the general process of how transport refrigeration works. The process varies based on the unit and the specifics of the transport refrigeration. Furthermore, refrigerated vehicles don't create cold. It removes heat and transfers it to another place. Temperature control units monitor the temperature of the cargo compartment. These units can regulate the flow of refrigerant, the speed of the compressor, or the airflow to the evaporator in order to maintain the desired temperature. If there is heat leaking in, and this is equal to or less than the heat which is taken out, then the product will stay cold. The refrigeration system keeps a cool, stable temperature in the cargo compartment by removing heat from the interior and controlling its environment.
Conclusion
Refrigeration is a key part of the modern supply chain, so perishable goods get to the consumer fresh and safe. By maintaining specific temperature ranges for different products, these systems preserve quality and prevent spoilage. The insulated body of a refrigerated vehicle keeps heat out effectively. At the same time, the refrigeration unit needs enough power to remove any extra heat that sneaks in. If the insulation can handle the heat that's coming in, everything stays cool. It's all about finding that balance to keep everything fresh during transport.
In this blog, we discussed how transport refrigeration works. We hope you found this helpful. If you want more insight into the world of transport refrigeration, feel free to look at some of our other blogs. If you want the best cold storage manufacturer and refrigerated transport manufacturer in Nepal, feel free to contact us at Nepcool. Thank you for reading.
FAQs on How Transport Refrigeration Works
What is transport refrigeration?
Transport refrigeration is a specially designed vehicle used for the movement of perishable goods like food and medicines.
What Products need refrigerated transport?
Perishable products like dairy, fresh produce, meat, seafood, vaccines, blood, and floral products need refrigerated transport to stay fresh and safe to eat or use.
How does refrigeration work in trucks?
Refrigeration systems in trucks use a condensing and evaporating cycle of refrigeration to absorb heat from inside the truck and release it outside to keep the cargo cool.
Why is insulation important in refrigerated transport?
Insulation in trucks maintains a stable temperature in the cargo area by keeping the heat out. It helps the refrigeration system to keep products fresh and safe to eat and use.
What's new in transport refrigeration technology?
Technology has improved energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact in refrigerated transport; it's more sustainable and cost-effective.
Why transport refrigeration?
To preserve perishable goods in the supply chain, food safety and consumer demand for fresh.