Here at Minus 1, we have been in the transport industry for over 30 years, and in that time, we have come to learn just about everything there is to know on interstate refrigerated transport. Below is some basic information about how interstate transport and distribution works, so that you know when you work with Minus 1, you’re working with the best in the business.
Mobile refrigeration systems are designed to handle various external temperatures and operating conditions, which is particularly important in Australia, where temperatures vary greatly depending on what part of the country you’re located in, where you are travelling to, and at what time of the year. Our state-of-the-art refrigeration systems are designed to handle the reverberation and stress that occurs during long journeys, regardless of the outside temperature or environment, to maintain optimal conditions.
For example, a trailer carrying frozen goods must be insulated for -26 Celsius, while fresh food requires insulation for temperatures in the range of 0 degrees to -1.6. Products that tend to lose fluid to the surrounding air, such as fresh produce, flowers, and fruit, also need accurate control of humidity and ventilation to keep these products from drying out. Drivers can control the system using a remote-control module inside the refrigerated truck itself, ensuring on-hand maintenance and control during journeys of any distance, be it QLD to NSW, or VIC to WA.
Mobile refrigerators systems usually use a 1 ½ – 2 horsepower engine, and use refrigerants that contain low toxicity and flammability to ensure safety during transport. Refrigerated trailers also use special light-weight and well-insulated trailer bodies that are typically 71cm to 135 cm long. The trailers are typically a fibreglass composite or a metal wall construction, and have various thicknesses and types of insulation, like spray foam, to fill the space between the walls of the trailer.
Depending on the size, type, and purpose of the primary system, a backup system may be installed to prevent cooling loss, just as a precaution, should the primary unit fail.
When it comes to truck and trailer refrigerators systems, four main mechanisms are crucial to the functioning of the system: the compressor, the air-cooled condenser, the thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) and the direct expansion evaporator. Truck and transport refrigeration systems also use items that are specific to transport systems like a quench valve, a sub-cooler, a hot gas and solenoid valve, and vibration absorbers.
Eutectic plates are another type of truck and trailer refrigeration system which uses a method called passive refrigeration, or passive cooling. Eutectic plates, or cold plates, are thin, rectangular tanks that contain an evaporator that is surrounded by a solution set to freeze at the desired temperature. The refrigerant flows through the evaporator, freezes the solution (called the eutectic solution), and once frozen, the refrigeration system shuts down, and the eutectic plates alone can provide many hours of refrigeration. This is especially crucial on long-distance transportation, such as with interstate travel, to keep loads in ideal condition upon delivery.
If you would like to learn more about our refrigerated transportation services available at Minus 1, please contact us today by calling (03) 9792 9011, or leaving an enquiry on our online contact form, and we will be in touch shortly.
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