Logistics of transport in the freezing cold

Blazo Gjorev
3 min readSep 23, 2022

What we call “cold transportation” is the movement of goods that must be kept at a specific temperature throughout the journey. Products have been shipped in this manner for more than a century. The cold chain as we know it now can be traced back to the year 1842. Straw was used as insulation in railroad wagons to prevent the temperature from damaging the cargo. Refrigerated trucks initially appeared on the road in the 1940s, and the first cold trucks hit the market in 1910. The innovator of roof-mounted cooling, Frederick McKinley Jones, laid the groundwork for the modern, high-tech reefer trucks of today with his invention.

The right handling and transportation methods are essential for transporting cold items. The implementation of an intermodal temperature-controlled system is the ideal method for this. If you need to ship something that needs to stay at a certain temperature, it’s best to find a method that can do so. Think about how long it will take to deliver the merchandise before making a decision.

The eutectic liquid is contained within a plastic insulator, known as the eutectic plate. High-density polyethylene, from which it is fashioned, is tough and resilient, withstanding both punctures and drops without suffering damage. The eutectic liquid is protected by a crimped top. The plate then gives off just enough energy to keep the insulated container at the set temperature. Cold items can be stored and transported on eutectic plates.

Depending on the refrigeration system, a single eutectic plate has the ability to maintain the set temperature for anywhere between six and twenty-four hours. When transporting eutectic plates, however, it is crucial to keep in mind that the eutectic liquid should be kept at a distance of three centimeters from each plate because the liquid will not circulate if the plates are piled.

Dry ice is a low-cost, versatile cooling option. It has a wide range of applications, including food preservation and freezing, and is simple to produce. Although dry ice does not burn easily, it can still cause serious injury if not handled properly. It is imperative that it be transported in a way that keeps it safe from harm throughout the trip.

Today’s transportation sector is coping with a number of issues, including rising fuel costs, a lack of available drivers, and rising consumer demand. Transportation options for goods include trucking and intermodal shipping. There are a number of benefits to using intermodal transportation over traditional trucking. There is less risk of contamination or damage to the containers because they stay in one place throughout the shipment.

When its temperature drops below 195 degrees Kelvin, dry ice has a density of 1.55 to 1.7 grams per cubic centimeter. Because of how quickly its condition can shift, it’s inconvenient to carry and store. When properly packaged, it can be transported without risk.

First, the cold transport container’s contents are cooled using liquid nitrogen. Putting the container’s temperature down, the liquid nitrogen goes through a heat exchanger. High-velocity fans then push the cool air throughout the space.

The capacity to maintain the proper temperature during cold transit is critical for ensuring the safety of perishable goods. Several factors, including storage and cold weather, can lead to temperature fluctuations. Exposure to excessive heat, whether in a store or the home of the end user, is another potential danger. The good news is that Air Liquide provides a wide variety of individualized solutions to deal with these threats.

Air Liquide has created a practical method of delivering perishable goods while maintaining their temperature. The use of isothermal containers, which keep their contents at a constant temperature, makes this possible during normal operations. Depending on the amount of product in the container, the distance to the store, and the time of delivery, the company may add the right amount of carbon dioxide to keep the product at the right temperature.

When it comes to maintaining the cold chain, liquid nitrogen is the powerful cryogenic storage solution of choice. Samples, tissues, and cell cultures can be kept alive for up to 15 days using this method. Furthermore, vaccines can be transported with ease. However, liquid nitrogen has a few drawbacks that make it less than ideal.

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Blazo Gjorev

Blazo Gjorev began a temporary employment as a truck driver after arriving in the USA in 2002.