Glossary Term: Equipment & Technology

Transport and storage using ultra-low temperatures achieved with dry ice (-78.5°C) or liquid nitrogen (-196°C) instead of mechanical refrigeration.

Standalone electronic device that records temperature (and sometimes humidity, light, shock) over time using internal memory.

Self-powered transport refrigeration system with dedicated diesel engine driving compressor. Most common type of TRU for long-haul refrigerated transport.

Transport refrigeration unit powered directly by the vehicle’s main engine via a mechanically-driven compressor (PTO – Power Take-Off). No separate refrigeration engine.

Solid carbon dioxide (CO₂) at -78.5°C, used as non-mechanical refrigerant for shipping and emergency cooling.

Transport refrigeration unit powered by electricity instead of diesel engine. Power source can be vehicle batteries, shore power, or dedicated refrigeration batteries.

Passive cooling system using phase-change materials (eutectic plates) that freeze overnight and provide cooling during operation through controlled melting.

Cooling system that uses water evaporation to lower air temperature. Not true refrigeration; cannot achieve temperatures below ambient wet-bulb temperature.

Refrigeration system component that reduces refrigerant pressure from high (condenser) to low (evaporator) and meters refrigerant flow to evaporator.

Cooling method using fans to circulate cold air rapidly through product packaging, significantly faster than room cooling.