INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
FEATURE
Refrigerated trucks:
Not just a cooler box
By Benjamin Brits
Transport forms a major part of the cold chain and is also a critical element in the
lifespan of various perishable goods.
The global pandemic of 2020 has
forced many, if not all industries to
rethink their strategies and their
supply chains, and the cold chain has not
been excluded. Some industry
participants believe there will be a
significant shift in future, driven primarily
by the new habits of the consumer.
Economists in South Africa have also
forecast that consumer behaviour will
push these changes towards more varied
delivery methods which would naturally
require the adaptation of the cold chain
and specifically refrigerated road transport.
It may also lead to an effect of distribution
centres being stocked with larger volumes,
but less often.
However, changes in the cold chain are
really governed by many parameters and
cannot be determined by any single or
particular element. In this feature we take
a look at the overall view of refrigerated
road transportation and further consider
certain topical elements as well as possible
future forms through our engagement with
industry leaders.
Refrigerated trucks carry not only a
valuable cargo but a significant investment
for the owners. The correct components are
required for the particular application as
one would not want to have to incur a loss
by products or produce not having been
maintained under the correct temperature.
Trucks range from small 1-ton bakkies to
large trailer trucks and can be configured
with various systems including engine-drive
systems, systems with a separate diesel
engine and electric motor (diesel electric),
eutectic systems, cryogenic systems and
all-electric systems -creating a range to suit
any application.
NEW TECHNOLOGY IN
REFRIGERATED TRUCKS
One important aspect that must be
brought forth from the start is that through
development in the mechanics, electronics,
insulation factors and various body work,
technology has drastically improved over
the years and newer vehicles are able to
be fitted with many advanced options
compared to what was available in the past.
Data and data management
Data logging and telematics is an
advancing technology that most major
manufacturers are already working with
and have for some time. Data logging
is considered an essential to provide
information on various parameters, and
telemetry is growing exponentially in the
sector with its own advantages as better
planning and operational efficiencies are
sought out.
Transfrig
Thermo King
“For us as a local equipment supplier
and servicer, data is extremely important
and useful because we can monitor the
operating parameters of the equipment
and we can run various diagnostics.
From a customer’s point of view for them
to have their data logged in terms of
temperature control is critical and forms
part of their process management and
planning,” says Peter Solomon, managing
director of Transfrig.
Data logging and management further
allows that at any time and any location
where an issue arises, a technician can be
dispatched to download the relevant data
to investigate what the particular fault may
be through diagnosis and then a corrective
measure. For example, not reaching a
target temperature may indicate an air
pressure fault.
“Data also offers value to a business as
a snapshot of what happens when, and
this is also important in energy efficiency
so running a system and storing energy
The Rigid CryoFridge 450l tank.
New technology has lowered fuel consumption to 1.16l per hour.
can be planned to cater to peak demand
times or trends,” adds Solomon.
Eutectics
Eutectics is another expansion in
refrigerated transport that is being explored
in many aspects as companies are looking
to move to cleaner, more energy efficient
types of systems.
In simple terms, Eutectic solutions are
water-based with an additive used to
decrease the freezing point. Different
applications require different solution
temperatures.
This type of refrigeration system is
primarily used in ice-cream delivery trucks
in South Africa and comprises a Kool-tube
system. Instead of using a conventional
evaporator, a series of beams are mounted
in the body and the beams are filled
with the eutectic solution. The beams
are then frozen overnight and through
natural convection the product is kept at
temperature for the daily delivery cycle.
No external power is required during the
delivery cycle.
“We are developing a Eutectic system
to be used over a broader temperature
range. This includes multi-temperature
solutions,” says Solomon.
Liquid nitrogen and cryogenics
South Africa is said to be one of the
forerunners in the world as far as cryogenics
is concerned for transport refrigeration.
The liquid is stored in a vessel beneath the
load-box. Nitrogen is released from the tank
and expands through pipes in the sidewalls
into a heat exchanger. The Nitrogen is then
released back into the atmosphere. Power
for the evaporator fans and the controls for
system are solar powered. The result is then
zero on-road carbon emissions.
“A leading supermarket retailer in South
Africa is running 300 liquid nitrogen trailer
units throughout the country with this system.
We are currently talking to one of the major
air separation companies to try and develop
this system to cater to a broader spectrum
given its efficiency. The only downside to this
technology in South Africa is that you need
your own storage tanks. Hopefully in the
not too distant future LIN fuel stations will be
available,” adds Solomon.
Liquid nitrogen units have already been
successfully introduced for use on electric
trucks in Europe.
Anti-microbial protective coatings
Conventional cleaning and disinfection
methods are not always effective or long
lasting. From the time of initial disinfection,
bacterial reproduction increases
exponentially and has often reached
a critical level before the next cleaning
action. On contact with an anti-microbial
surface, up to 80% of the pathogens will be
killed within 15 minutes and over 99% in 2
hours. This means bacterial growth cannot
occur, leaving your surfaces contaminationfree
for the useful life of the product.
“We are proud to announce that we
can now offer an innovative surface
coating with anti-microbial properties
in our range of insulated and noninsulated
bodies to assist in maintaining
the highest standards in hygiene.
Refrigerated transportation of pathogen
susceptible food products such as meat,
fish, poultry and dairy, necessitates the
highest compliance in terms of hygiene
standards. The transport of these food
products is a particularly sensitive phase
of the cold chain due to the constant
loading and unloading involved and the
subsequent contamination risk it poses,”
says Burt Gildenhuys, managing director
of Icecold Bodies.
COLD LINK AFRICA • October 2020 www.coldlinkafrica.co.za 25