Device that senses temperature and controls refrigeration equipment to maintain temperature within specified range.
Ton of Refrigeration
A unit of cooling capacity equal to the rate of heat absorption required to melt one ton (2,000 pounds) of ice in 24 hours. Equals 12,000 BTU/h or 3.517 kW.
Traceability
Ability to trace product history, location, and application through all stages of production, processing, and distribution. Critical for food safety and recall management.
Transload
Transfer of cargo from one mode of transport to another (e.g., reefer container to refrigerated truck, or truck to truck).
TRU (Transport Refrigeration Unit)
Self-contained refrigeration system mounted on vehicle to maintain temperature-controlled cargo space. Can be diesel-powered, electric, or direct-drive.
U-Value (Thermal Transmittance)
Measure of heat transfer through an insulated structure (wall, ceiling, door). Measured in W/(m²·K). Lower U-value = better insulation.
Use-By Date (Expiry Date)
Date after which product should not be consumed for safety reasons. Assumes product stored under proper conditions (temperature, packaging).
Vaccine Cold Chain
Specialized cold chain for vaccines maintaining strict +2°C to +8°C (some vaccines require -20°C or ultra-low -70°C).
Vacuum Insulation Panel (VIP)
High-performance insulation consisting of rigid panel with vacuum-sealed core, providing 5-10x better thermal resistance than conventional foam insulation per unit thickness.
Vapor Pressure
The pressure exerted by a vapor in equilibrium with its liquid or solid phase at a given temperature. Each refrigerant has a unique vapor pressure-temperature relationship.