Self-Contained refrigerated, freezer, cryogenic, and combination refrigerator-freezer shipping and storage systems have been designed specifically to add another temperature section to an existing refrigerated vehicle and help make temperature sensitive LTL available to any transport mode. The CryoFreeze product line, from Industrial Insulation Systems, features programmable digital temperature control systems with accurate temperature holding to +/- 1° C, and programmable visual and audible alarms.
The low temperature systems have an adjustable temperature range from ambient to -109°F.
“Essentially, we can make any vehicle — from a dry freight truck or trailer to a railroad box car instantly reefer capable, or can add another temperature section to an existing refrigerated vehicle for more flexibility,” said the company's Jason Luedtke, vice president of corporate accounts. “CryoFreeze provides a completely temperature-controlled cargo environment in any setting.”
The containers are available in a variety of sizes for various applications. They range from a micro unit, roughly the size of carry-on luggage, to a compact model (5 to 10 cubic feet of cargo space), pallet size unit (20 to 30 cubic feet of cargo space), and large transport and storage (40+ cubic feet of cargo space).
The products are built entirely at the company's Boise, Idaho, plant, and can be custom manufactured to any size, shape, and temperature hold.
Combo units
Industrial Insulation Systems has had considerable success with its combination refrigerator-freezer units, Luedtke said. These feature a dual digital temperature control system that enables the transport of both refrigerated and frozen products simultaneously.
The units can be programmed to maintain temperatures from ambient temperature to as cold as -40°F for 72 hours in its current form.
Rugged and durable, the combination containers use 20 to 26 gauge galvanized steel with a siliconized polyester finish (a USDA accepted coating) for the inside and outside. Stainless steel and options like data logging and instant asset tracking are available.
The units have a forklift base for picking up from any side, and diamond plate and other protection features around the unit for added resiliency.
Measuring 40 inches wide, 48 inches long, and 84 inches tall, the units have 4-inch pressure-filled urethane panels and a full-face door. The 47-cubic feet of cargo space can be divided into various sizes of refrigerator and freezer, or can be used as a refrigerator or freezer only.
Along with dry ice, the refrigerator-freezer combination units have a 12-volt rechargeable battery and proprietary fan system that circulates refrigerant vapor as needed to maintain temperature.
Cryogenic units
The full cryogenic freezer-only CryoFreeze shipping and storage units require no power source. They use solid C02 (dry ice) as refrigerant. Once the dry ice is loaded and the temperature set, these units can hold the temperature up to 30 days in some models.
“We've shipped research specimens from California to Spain, and pharmaceutical samples from the West Indies to Scotland with a perfect success record,” Luedtke noted.
These units are available with extending slide-out floor pans, with load capacities up to 1,000 pounds, to facilitate easily loading and unloading. They can be retro-fitted with liquid nitrogen to provide much colder temperature ranges.
“Because CryoFreeze shipping and storage units have non-mechanical refrigeration systems, they require virtually no maintenance,” said Luedtke. “They are simple to use and operate for literally pennies a day.”
