New technology boosts energy efficiency, while lowering the global warming potential of refrigerants is a main goal, reports Riviera.
Container Fresh and Frozen
Thermo King recently launched marine reefer technology ‘Container Fresh and Frozen’, which the company calls a game-changer.
Trane Technologies’ Thermo King’s first marine reefer unit was launched in 1956, using Truck & Trailer technology adapted to the tough marine environment of rough seas, vibration from vessels, and impact on handling and corrosion.
Thermo King’s newest marine reefer technology, the Container Fresh and Frozen (CFF) unit features an advanced temperature management control system that delivers best-in-class, precise temperature control of +/- 0.25°C in chilled mode and +/- 1°C in frozen mode, and 20% less energy consumption, without compromising the cargo’s required in-range temperature requirements. For increased operational efficiency, the CFF offers fast pull-down and can quickly reach specific set-points to increase the storage life of shipped goods.
A game changer
Thermo King product leader marine, rail and bus Peter Hansen tells CST, “The new CFF refrigeration unit technology is a game-changer in terms of energy efficiency. We have applied the best technology from our Magnum Plus marine reefer model and introduced a low-pressure refrigerant to optimise energy consumption”.
Thermo King vice president global marine, rail and air Claudio Zanframundo shares, “Over the past decades, Thermo King has developed an entire product line of innovative marine transport refrigeration units, including among others, the CF-I, CF-II, CRR and CSR. Our units are best in their class, offering a lowest set-point of -40°C. We listened to our customers’ needs – the CFF can reach and maintain box temperature in the toughest conditions, and with a low-pressure refrigerant that contributes to lower energy consumption, while still ensuring very precise temperature control.”
Thermo King compared the CFF unit with other reefer units on the market, tested in the same laboratory with the same insulated container. The results showed the Thermo King CFF unit uses 20% less energy and requires less temperature control. “For vessels transporting fruit across the ocean, it can represent a net saving of up to US$50 per trip per container. If you scale it up to the number of units crossing the ocean every day, this can translate into significant capital and energy savings, having a positive environmental impact”, says Mr Zanframundo.
Thermo King has a full range of cold storage temperatures for the movement of food, vaccines and medicine for cold-chain needs across customer segments:
- SuperFreezer: to -70°C.
- SuperChiller designed for frozen applications from -60°C to plus 10°C.
- Magnum Plus: to -40°C.
- Container Fresh and Frozen (CFF): to -30°C.
Sustainability considerations, including less energy consumption, decarbonisation and reducing operating costs were leading considerations when designing the CFF. The ability to optimise the power consumption mode via the software setting, to consume less energy and activate a wider temperature spread, still without compromising the cargo, was a high priority.
Lowering the global warming potential of refrigerants is another top goal. Mr Hansen says, “The industry is on a journey to lower global warming potential refrigerants, but this is not without complexity given the flammability concerns, requiring special care during operation and maintenance. As an industry, we need to come together globally and ensure safe handling and use for all reefer manufactures and service providers. We are working on alternative refrigerants for all product lines at Thermo King and Trane Technologies.”
When developing the CFF, Thermo King reused and optimised certain parts, including using an MP4000 controller where Smart PTI and energy logging is standard, helping to reduce the total cost of ownership. Alternative refrigerants consume 5-8% more energy, therefore indirectly result in more CO2 emissions throughout the equipment lifecycle.
With more innovative marine reefer solutions and an estimated annual market growth of 4-6% in perishable cargo, the container ship reefer market is buoyant. Mr Zanframundo says, “Thermo King is more than ready to lead the sustainability transformation and growth of the global marine transportation refrigeration industry”.
