“How Long Does an Olivo Container Maintain Temperature?”
The answer depends on variables and factors that do require explanation. To determine how long an Olivo Container can maintain a product its temperature, we first provide some more information:
Insulation value of the Olivo container:
Every Olivo container has an ATP-IR insulation value or property. A lower value (for example 0,38 W/m²·°C) is better than a higher value (for example 0,42 W/m²·°C). The value indicates how man Watts (energy) per square meter in degrees Celsius passes through the walls of the container. The lowest is better!
Energy value of the product on transport:
We do not have exact information about the energy value/ content (in joules) of your product(s) in any container on transport. Since most foods consist of 70%+ water, this value alone is not sufficient to maintain the correct temperature. Certainly not when the container itself is much warmer or has not yet been pre-cooled!
Eutectic plates:
Fortunately, besides cryonic dry-ice solutions, there are eutectic plates developed by Olivo. While dry-ice is a viable option, we are, for this article, just focusing on eutectic plates! These plates are designed for every container and all required conditions. Once configured to the necessary temperature setting, they contain hidden eutectic energy (latent heat) that helps maintain the temperature inside the container.
Ambient temperature:
The ambient temperature also plays a role. Knowing this value, we can calculate “fairly” accurately the quantity of eutectic plates required keeping the inside of the container at the desired temperature.
What are Eutectics/ PCMs?
Understanding eutectic energy requires knowledge of temperature relationships and/ or understanding physics. Eutectic material (a mixture of at least two components) absorbs or releases energy during a phase change (Solid to Liquid or Liquid to solid) therefore called “Phase Changing Materials” (PCMs). When releasing absorbed cold, it provides the energy (cold) we need. The warmer the PCM’s ambient is, the faster the phase change point reached, the sooner the PCM loses its energy. It is therefore advisable to pre-cool a container. The closer the direct ambient temperature lays to that of the plates, the longer the eutectic energy maintains the direct surrounding temperature.
A practical example:
Imagine you have two glasses of water. The first glass filled with water from a bottle kept outside the refrigerator (say 15 degrees Celsius), and the second glass filled with water from a bottle kept in the refrigerator (say 5 degrees Celsius). Add an ice cube of equal size to each glass.
Important to know: the purpose of the ice cube is not to cool the water, but to maintain the temperature. Let us look at what happens:
- Ice in the warm water: The ice cube in the “warm” water quickly loses its energy during the melting process. Once the ice has melted, the water has not gotten much colder. This is because the ice quickly releases its energy to the water.
- Ice in the chilly water: The ice cube in the chilly water takes longer to lose its energy and melt. This keeps the water cool for longer. The ice cube acts as an energy buffer against warming.
In short, using eutectic energy (such as melting ice) can help maintain the temperature of a system. The closer we can get to the desired temperature, the longer this energy can contribute to maintaining the correct temperature. However, when ice at 0 to -4C degrees placed near products at -18C degrees. The -18 products transfer/ release their energy to the relative “warmer” ice!
Conditioning the eutectic plates:
To have the eutectic plates additional energy needed upon the phase change point itself. In terms of temperature, this equates to approximately 5 degrees of extra “cold” energy. However, the plate will emit ≈three degrees less energy (3 C degrees warmer) at the indicated phase change point of the PCM in the discharge situation.
Suppose you take a product out of the freezer with a freezer-thermostat setting of -21 C degrees and place it in a container. The temperature of that product is then approximately -18 C degrees. To maintain this temperature, the internal temperature of the container itself must also be -21 C degrees. That is why a PCM plate with an indication of -21 C degrees required! To condition this plate, it must charge at a minimum of -26 C degrees surrounding. Depending on the plate its condition, this can take up to 24 hours on the first run, assuming there is sufficient air circulation (cooling/ freezing factor).
The Right Solution on an Eutectic Problem:
Recently a business associate told us that a competing supplier, of cold chain solutions, had given him another PCM/eutectic plate (-12 C degrees) because they could not get the earlier supplied -21 C degrees PCMs into a solid (frozen) phase (The freezer didn’t go lower than -22 C degrees).
Although our competitor’s solution sounds plausible as it will makes it possible to freeze a PCM plate, it is certainly not the right solution to transport frozen products according to the guidelines (-21 C degrees)!
We are happy to help you find or determine the most suitable or alternative solution(s) for your situation as it is today and how it may be tomorrow.
Another Interesting Fact About Eutectic Application:
When a product on transport must stay at 0 to 4 degrees, the protective duration can extend by using-21 or even -26 PCM plates instead of -3 PCM plates. However, what may be important is to know exactly what temperature the product must maintain.
- If the product needs to remain closer to 4°C, -3°C PCM plates are more suitable.
- If the product needs to remain closer to 0°C, -21°C or -26°C PCM plates are better.
A PCM is an energy-absorbing mass. It absorbs heat as the temperature increases and releases it as the temperature decreases. For -26°C PCM plates, the temperature curve flattens out once the PCM reaches the upper limit of the product’s temperature range (e.g., 4°C). For -3°C PCM plates, the temperature is closer to the product’s desired range, so the curve flattens sooner.
What to know and to remember:
- Insulated ATP containers do not chill nor freeze any product you place inside;
They only maintain the temperature of a product placed within the container at the condition found if the appointed energy support source is well configured/ prepared and placed. - Any question regarding the eutectics like:
1. How long does the plate provide energy?
2. What size of plates do I need?
3. What quantity of plates do I need?
4. How frequently do I need to replace/ refresh the plates?
are related to the model of Olivo container and/ or your operation requirements – protocol(s)!
Please do not inquire about the performance of our eutectic plates in containers other than those manufactured by Olivo. We cannot provide guarantees as we are unfamiliar with the materials and insulation values of our competitors’ products. This is similar to how a Ferrari engineer cannot predict the performance of a Ferrari engine when installed in a chassis and bodywork other than those specifically designed by Ferrari. How Long Does an Olivo Container Maintain Temperature when equiped with the right energy source?; is the better question!
Why did I write this all when all is o so well explained here at the Olivo website?
Because another way of explaining this subject may contribute to a better understanding of the system behind the optimization of temperature controlled logistics.