Most cool transports today are controlled by the use of dry-ice. It keeps products cool, but it is difficult to maintain a constant temperature all over the container. AirContainer, KTH and SAS Cargo Group have jointly developed a mobile refrigerator run by electricity that ensures a constant temperature over a long period of time.
"It guarantees a constant temperature all over the container from the moment it leaves the shipper and until it reaches the consignee," stated Kenneth Marx, president of Denmark-based SAS Cargo.
The container keeps a constant temperature between two and 25 degrees Celsius for more than 36 hours without a power source. The fridge can be connected to the power mains for pre-chilling a product before loading. It can also connect to a truck's DC system. Once off the power main the unit uses its own batteries to keep products cold..
Once on the ground it can be plugged into a local power source if transport is longer than 36 hours.
The new transport fridge is designed for the products, such as drugs and foods, that need reliable and stable temperatures during the air transport.
The container is the result of cooperation between the two Swedish companies AB AirContainer and KTH, together with SAS Cargo, which has tested the container over the past months. The first "flying refrigerator" will be ready to use in September.