Imagine transporting a cow for slaughter over a hundred and fifty miles. The risks are immeasurable, but thanks to refrigerated trucks, you can easily transport meat and other perishables long distances without the risk of spoilage. With their invention, life has become possible since they can haul all forms of perishables, such as horticultural products, medication, and vaccines, over long distances. But how do they work? Let's dig in for more on how these pieces of convenience function.
The Working Mechanism of a Refrigerated Truck
Simply put, a refrigerated truck is just like a regular refrigerator inside a truck. The cargo compartment is designed like a refrigerator to the temperatures ideal for the specific product in transit. The primary mechanism for controlling temperature is keeping the heat outside. Therefore, the compartment is sealed and insulated to prevent heat from getting inside. Also, it has a refrigeration system that maintains low temperatures even when the doors are opened.
Components of The Refrigeration System
As mentioned above, the refrigerated trucks from reputable refrigerated trucking companies function the same as a refrigerator. Therefore, it's three critical components that aid in temperature regulation. These include:
- Compressor: The compressor is the cooling feature found at the front. It's attached to the engine and is powered by the truck's belt system. It compresses the refrigerant gas, forcing it into the condenser.
- Condenser: Once the gas passes to the condenser, it's condensed into a liquid, and cooling starts. The condenser has small convoluted tubes through which the refrigerant passes, exposing it to the outside air. The tubes allow maximum cooling, turning the refrigerant into a cool liquid.
- Evaporator: The refrigerant proceeds to the evaporator, which is in the cargo area, where it absorbs heat from the goods, keeping them cold. The heat warms up the refrigerant, and it turns into gas. Finally, it goes to the condenser, and a new cycle starts.
- Insulation: This is the exterior component of the cooling system. Without it, it's impossible to regulate the compartment’s temperature, even with a perfect refrigeration system. Refrigerated trucks should have a uniform polyurethane foam that protects the interior from external heat and moisture.
Precautions When Transferring Mixed Products
In an ideal situation, a refrigerated truck should only transport one type of product. However, logistics don't allow it most of the time. Therefore, it's crucial to be vigilant when transporting mixed products.
Heat transfer from new products can lead to the spoilage of existing products. Therefore, ensure you keep new developments as far away from existing products as possible. Ideally, there should be settling in space for new products to allow the temperature to stabilize. This guarantees that the existing products aren't affected. For example, you can use specific cartons or insulated partitions.
Refrigerated transport has gained popularity due to the need to transport perishable and temperature products from one location to another. It works like a refrigerator since it has a complete refrigeration system. The system comprises a compressor, condenser, and an evaporator and uses a refrigerant for the cooling process. Most importantly, the truck should have uniform insulation to avoid heat and moisture from the external environment.
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