What should be checked when buying and using Cool Cargo?

治験薬のような温度管理が厳しい製品の輸送には高性能な保冷容器は必須でしょう。

ただ、ドライアイスや蓄冷材を併用した保冷ボックスでは厳密な温度管理が難しかったりと多くの問題点を抱えてるケースも少なくありません。しっかりと保冷がされていなければ不良品としてお客さんからのクレーム、そして在庫損失となります。
配送業車へのクオリティーを求められる近年では、こういった課題をいかに解決できるかが今後のビジネス拡大、安定に繋がります。この記事では、電動式の高性能保冷容器を新しく購入を検討されている方向けにチェックしておいてほしい点をご紹介していきます。

1 How Cool Cargo works

クールカーゴとは、FPSCと断熱ボックスを組み合わせた電動式の高性能保冷容器です。

FPSC(フリーピストンスターリングクーラー)とは、従来のコンプレッサー式とは異なり、小型のリニアモーターで２基のピストンを動かし、充填されたヘリウムの圧縮/膨張を繰り返して冷却するシステムです。

FPSCはコンプレッサーと比較すると、冷却能力で劣ります。冷却能力は劣りますが、省エネ且つ一定温度をキープする精度に長けています。クールカーゴの消費電力は最大で80ワットです。

クールカーゴのボックス庫内が冷やされる仕組みをご説明します。先ず、下の写真にあり冷却部が冷やされます。冷えた冷却部に風を当てることにより、冷気をボックス庫内に循環させます。冷えた空気は排出口から出て、吸引口から吸われます。

また、FPSCは装備重量が軽く、コンプレッサー式より広範囲で高精度のインバーター制御で駆動するため、優れた温度制御が可能です。冷媒には人体に無害で地球温暖化をもたらさないヘリウムを使用しています。

クールカーゴに搭載されたＰＦＳＣ（ＴＢ-４０）は、オランダのグローバル・クーリング・ＢＶ株式会社とのライセンス契約に基づき、ツインバード工業株式会社が開発・製造したものです。

2 What is the effect of Cool Cargo?

Cool Cargo is a product that excels at keeping things cold. Depending on the type of product, once the temperature inside the unit settles to the set temperature, the temperature will remain constant semi-permanently as long as power is secured.

2-1 Cool Cargo Performance (Pre-cooling)

Pre-cooling of Cool Cargo is very important. This is because it takes time to lower the temperature inside the Cool Cargo.

1. For the refrigerated type, it takes about 1.5 hours to lower the temperature of a 100L size from 35°C to 3°C.
2. For the frozen type, it takes about 3.5 hours to lower the 100L size from 35°C to -20°C.

Cold chain logistics aims to achieve uninterrupted temperature control. Pre-cooling of cool cargo is important for the cold chain in both temporary storage and transportation.

2-2 How to use Cool Cargo

To use Cool Cargo, you must have a power source. There are three main ways to obtain a power source.

1. The first is AC power. It can be powered from a household electrical outlet, with an optional AC adapter that accepts 100-240 volts. AC power is often used for pre-cooling or temporary storage.
2. The second is a DC power source. It is possible to obtain power from a car’s cigarette lighter socket. As a rule, it is 12 volts DC, so a converter is required when using 24 volts, such as in trucks.
3. The third is the battery. A connector connecting the Cool Cargo to the battery allows it to run on a 12-volt battery. It can also be used with solar panels, although this is a special use.

3 Cool Cargo Types

Frozen (-20°C) type

The frozen type comes in one size.

Refrigerated (3°C) type

Three refrigeration types are available: 200L type with open top (TC200N) and 200L type with open front (TC-200NS).

Brad (switching between 4°C and 22°C) type

[Size] Same as refrigerated (3°C) type.　70L 100L 200L (200L type has two types: top and front type)

Blood type is developed for blood transportation. Unlike other types, the temperature can be switched by a switch.

4 Precautions for using Cool Cargo

4-1 Outside temperature when in use: 5°C to 45°C

Cool Cargo consumes less power and has superior ability to maintain a constant temperature, but its cooling power is inferior to that of a compressor. The larger the box capacity, the more cooling power is required.

4-2 Do not fill the box until it is full.

As explained briefly in the Cool Cargo System, the inside of a COOL CARGO box is cooled by circulating cool air. Cold air from the outlet is sucked into the suction port. If the cargo is fully loaded, the cool air cannot circulate, and the entire inside of the box will not be cooled.

4-3 Not available by air or sea

A power supply must be available when using Cool Cargo. Power supply cannot be used for general cargo air cargo flights. Also. Even for shipments by sea, it is difficult to secure a power supply and also cannot cope with the outside temperature when passing under the equator.

5 What to check when buying cool cargo?

As we have introduced so far, there are various types of COOL CARGO, so it is necessary to determine which type is best suited for your company’s operations when you purchase a COOL CARGO. If you purchase Cool Cargo that is not suitable for your company’s business, you may end up reducing work efficiency.

Confirmation of the company's logistics operations

You will need to confirm that Cool Cargo is appropriate for your operation. Cool Cargo has the advantage of maintaining a constant temperature and requires a power source. You will need to confirm that you can secure power during transport from your company’s vehicles. For example, a company that delivers investigational drugs. Company A operates a distribution center that travels to 5 destinations. From the distribution center, the company makes deliveries over one day (8 hours) in a room-temperature vehicle (VAN type with a cord to secure power from a cigar socket in the driver’s seat). The temperature inside the car is estimated to be around 30-35℃ because the car is air-conditioned during the summer. The investigational drugs are packed in cardboard boxes, and the maximum volume of the cargo is about 90 liters. The temperature of investigational drugs must be controlled at 2-8°C. In the past, this was done using cold storage materials, but there were issues of overcooling and condensation. Delivery volume – About 90L in a box packed in cardboard ・Transportation goods – Investigational drugs (need to be controlled at 2-8°C) ・Delivery environment – VAN type (power can be secured from a cigar socket, and in summer, the temperature inside the car is about 30-35°C as the car is cooled) In the case of Company A, the COOL CARGO 200NS type is suitable, In the case of Company A, the Cool Cargo 200NS type would be suitable because the 200NS type, which opens from the side, would be easier to work with than the 200N type, which opens from the top, when opening the rear part of the VAN to take out the cargo (clinical trial drugs) inside the Cool Cargo. The maximum content volume is 90 liters, so the 100N can also accommodate the cargo, but the cooling effect will diminish when the Cool Cargo is fully loaded. As shown in the above example, if you understand your company’s logistics operation and clarify the three points (delivery volume, transported goods, and delivery environment) before purchasing, you will be able to prevent purchasing the wrong goods.

6 Conclusion

We have explained Cool Cargo so far. First of all, before you buy Cool Cargo

• Delivery package, delivery volume
• Information on goods to be transported
• Logistics operations including pre-cooling facilities, power supply during delivery, and outside temperatures

Let’s make sure that the above three points are certain before making a purchase.