Chilled courier transportation is simply vehicles which are refrigerated to ensure a temperature-calibrated environment, ideal for transporting sensitive consignments, food, beverages, ingredients, sensitive medical supplies or biological domains such as blood or tissue. It is big business. It is also very very important as a service also. This too is why more and more businesses are turning now to this as a service too.
The highly degradable nature of food products means that temperature control is critical during storage and transportation. In fact, figures have revealed just how much this very service is on the rise for the end user. Temperature-controlled refrigerated delivery services can provide an affordable option to send chilled parcels and frozen parcels. This is all without the need to add other items and key apparatus to further look after key items. Sameday couriers are a key way of being able to deliver these services.
Key facts
It is estimated that around 15% of global fossil fuel energy is used in the refrigerated transport sector. In the case of vapour compression refrigeration (VCR) units – which are currently the most widely used systems in road refrigerated transport – the greenhouse gas emissions due to the operation of the refrigeration system, including both direct and indirect emissions, can reach 40% of the total vehicle’s engine emissions. The power supply by internal combustion engines, mainly diesel powered, and the use of refrigerants characterised by high GWP values explain these high emissions.
The systems are very highly sophisticated
Air-based and CO2-based refrigeration systems respond to the demand for more environmentally friendly refrigerants than currently used HFCs, allowing a reduction in direct emissions. The use of air systems is however limited by the lack of standard components for application in refrigerated transport. In recent years, the use of R290 (propane) in VCR systems has been considered in refrigerated transport. However, to date, there are still few studies on its performance.
What is worth knowing
In general, the alternative refrigeration technologies currently under study for application in refrigerated transport are not competitive in terms of performance. Systems powered by recovering the residual thermal energy from the exhaust gases of the vehicle are valid solutions for the reduction of energy consumption related to refrigeration. Surely the most interesting alternative in regard to reducing emissions is the use of fuel cells for the production of thermal and electrical energy, since they are able to reduce the load of the engine and guarantee the supply of the refrigeration system.
Overall
Transporting temperature-sensitive products is a delicate procedure that requires specialised technology. Hire a capable company that can offer refrigerated delivery services for different types and volumes of products. See that they can do so to disparate locations in the long run. Just be sure to take your time as to who you go for and hire. Have all of this in mind as this as a key service. Put simply, look for a refrigerated courier you know you can rely on.
