Refrigerated container specifications
Refrigerated container specifications
Refrigerated containers are used for transportation of products with special storage temperature requirements. These are suitable for transportation by road, rail and sea.
Refrigerated container purpose and main types
The main function of refrigerated containers is to store and transport perishable foods, some types of medicines, vaccines, chemicals and plants.
Refrigerated containers are distinguished by:
● Dimensions. There are models of 20, 40 and 45 feet.
● Compressor type. Scroll and piston systems are generally used.
● Operating characteristics: energy consumption level, cooling or heating capacity, power supply type.
● Temperature range. There are standard (operation within -25°C to +25°C) and low-temperature (cooling down to -60°C) types.
● Weight parameters. These include the box dead weight, load capacity, and laden weight.
There are also multi-temperature boxes providing maintenance of several different temperature zones at the same time. This allows different types of goods with different storage requirements to be transported in the same refrigerated container.
Refrigerated and standard containers: what’s the difference?
Reefer (refrigerated container) and standard container (20-meter Dry Cube) differ from each other in several key parameters defining their application and features.
|
Specific features |
Reefer |
Standard (Dry Cube) |
|---|---|---|
|
Applications |
Used for transportation of food and medicines requiring temperature control. Can also be used as stationary refrigerators or mobile shops. |
Used in various industries, suitable for transportation of any goods not requiring special storage conditions. |
|
Design |
More sophisticated structure with insulation and built-in refrigeration equipment. Availability of floor, ceiling and wall insulation. |
Simple structure consisting of steel frame and strong casing. It is designed to protect the cargo from external impacts.
|
|
Color and marking |
Painted white to visually stand out from the standard ones. Markings indicating the capability to maintain different temperatures (freezing, refrigeration). |
Different colors with markings according to the content transportation requirements. |
Main Parameters
The box dimensions and other characteristics depend on its modification. The 20 and 40 foot reefers are standard.
20-foot refrigerated container characteristics
This is the minimum box size suitable for the transportation of small batches of goods, as well as for the arrangement of a temperature-controlled warehouse.
The reefer outer dimensions: width – 2.438 meters, length – 6.058 meters, height – 2.591 meters. Internal dimensions are 2.284 meters, 5.513 meters and 2.269 meters, respectively.
With these parameters, the container volume is about 30 m3, and the maximum load capacity is 21,950 kg. Box dead weight – 3,050 kg.
40-foot reefer dimensions
Oversize (40-foot) boxes are suitable for the transportation of large batches of products. The standard box outer dimensions: width – 2.438 m, length – 12.192 m, height – 2.591 m. The internal dimensions are smaller due to the wall thickness: height - 2.252 m, width - 2.286 m, length - 11.638 m.
Effective volume – 56-60 m3 (based on the modification). Maximum load capacity – 27,990 kg. Box dead weight – 4,510 kg.
Peculiarities of using refrigerated containers in transportation logistics
Reefer provides stable conditions for storage and transportation of goods at set temperature. These are used at various transport facilities: sea vessels, trucks, railroad cars.
Modern reefers are equipped with monitoring systems allowing real-time temperature and humidity tracking to improve the cargo safety.
Temperature maintenance technologies
The temperature in the container is maintained using special cooling system, which includes several key components:
- Refrigeration unit – the main system component providing air cooling inside the box. It is electrically powered and can maintain temperature from -35°C to +30°C depending on the cargo storage requirements.
- Insulation – the box walls, floor and roof are made of insulating materials minimizing heat transfer and facilitating the stable inside temperature maintenance.
- Ventilation system installed to some types of refrigerated boxes. It ensures air circulation and maintenance of the required humidity level.
- Temperature control using sensors and monitoring systems. These track the temperature and automatically adjust the refrigeration unit to maintain the specified parameters.
These technologies allow goods to be transported over long distances while maintaining their quality.
Examples of application in various industries
The reefers are used for transportation of fresh foods, meat, fish, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, as well as for delivery of pharmaceutical drugs, vaccines, hazardous substances that may require specific conditions.
UTLC ERA operator provides a range of transportation and logistics services. Delivery by full-length refrigerator trains is available. The first such train was dispatched in 2022 running from the PRC to Russia. The peculiarity of such transportation is the capability to transport a large volume of goods at one time.