Temperature Monitoring System for Refrigerated Trailers and Trucks

Reefer trailer temperature monitoring is the process of continuously tracking and managing the temperature inside refrigerated trailers (reefers) used for transporting perishable goods. These trailers are equipped with a  Reefer temperature monitoring device to maintain specific temperature ranges, ensuring the safety and quality of temperature-sensitive products like food, pharmaceuticals, and other perishable items during transit.

Temperature Ranges for Different Types of Goods:

Frozen Foods:

• General Frozen Foods (e.g., meats, fish, frozen vegetables): -10°F to 0°F (-23°C to -18°C)
• Ice Cream and Similar Products: -20°F to -10°F (-29°C to -23°C)

Fresh Produce:

• Leafy Greens (e.g., lettuce, spinach): 32°F to 36°F (0°C to 2°C)
• Berries (e.g., strawberries, blueberries): 32°F to 36°F (0°C to 2°C)
• Citrus Fruits (e.g., oranges, lemons): 38°F to 48°F (3°C to 9°C)
• Tropical Fruits (e.g., bananas, pineapples): 50°F to 55°F (10°C to 13°C)

Dairy Products:

• Milk and Yogurt: 32°F to 40°F (0°C to 4°C)
• Cheese and Butter: 32°F to 45°F (0°C to 7°C)

Meat and Poultry:

• Fresh Meat (e.g., beef, pork): 28°F to 32°F (-2°C to 0°C)
• Poultry: 28°F to 32°F (-2°C to 0°C)

Seafood:

• Fresh Fish: 30°F to 34°F (-1°C to 1°C)
• Shellfish: 30°F to 34°F (-1°C to 1°C)

Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies:

• General Pharmaceuticals: 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C)
• Vaccines: 35°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C), depending on specific requirements

Flowers and Plants:

• Cut Flowers: 32°F to 36°F (0°C to 2°C)
• Potted Plants: 45°F to 55°F (7°C to 13°C)

Special Considerations:

Mixed Loads:

• When transporting mixed loads with different temperature requirements, it's essential to use multi-temperature reefer trailers or ensure proper separation and insulation to maintain the appropriate conditions for each type of product.

Humidity Control:

• Some products, especially fresh produce, may require specific humidity levels to maintain quality. A refrigerated truck temperature monitor with humidity control features helps meet these requirements.

Pre-Cooling:

• The reefer trailer should be pre-cooled to the desired temperature before loading the goods to ensure they remain within the required temperature range from the start.

Continuous Monitoring:

• Using temperature monitoring systems and data loggers can help track and record temperature conditions throughout the journey, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and maintaining product quality.

By maintaining the correct temperature settings for different types of goods, reefer trailers play a vital role in preserving the quality and safety of perishable products during transportation.

Reefer trailers are integral to the cold chain logistics process, ensuring that perishable goods reach their destination in optimal condition. Perishable goods are loaded into the reefer trailer. It's essential to pre-cool the trailer to the desired temperature before loading to ensure the cargo remains within the required temperature range from the start. The operator sets the desired temperature on the control panel of the refrigeration unit. This setting depends on the type of cargo being transported.

The refrigeration cycle begins with the compressor compressing the refrigerant gas, increasing its pressure and temperature. Hot, high-pressure gas then passes through the condenser, where it releases heat to the outside air and condenses into a high-pressure liquid. Liquid refrigerant flows through the expansion valve, reducing its pressure and temperature.

The cold, low-pressure liquid refrigerant then enters the evaporator, where it absorbs heat from the trailer's interior and evaporates back into a gas. This process cools the air inside the trailer. Evaporator fans circulate the cooled air throughout the trailer, maintaining the set temperature. Upon reaching the destination, the cargo is unloaded. It's important to maintain the trailer's temperature until all goods are removed so they remain within the safe temperature range.

Refrigerated trailer temperature monitoring protects public health and safety in these ways: 

Maintains Proper Temperature: Prevents spoilage and inhibits pathogen growth by ensuring goods are kept at required temperatures.

Compliance with Health Regulations: Meets regulatory standards and provides temperature logs for audits.

Early Detection and Alerts: Provides real-time alerts for temperature deviations, enabling quick corrections. 

Quality Assurance: Ensures product integrity and enhances consumer confidence by maintaining safe transport conditions.

 Prevents Cross-Contamination: Maintains a controlled environment to minimize contamination risks.

Reducing Foodborne Illnesses: Keeps food at safe temperatures, reducing the risk of illnesses from bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli.

Pharmaceutical Safety: Preserves the efficacy of temperature-sensitive medications and vaccines.

Sustainability and Waste Reduction: Minimizes waste by ensuring products reach their destination in optimal condition, supporting food security.

Different cold zones inside a reefer container can be monitored using advanced temperature control systems. These systems allow the container to be divided into multiple compartments, each with its own temperature settings and sensors. A centralized monitoring system collects real-time data from these sensors, enabling precise control and logging of temperatures for each zone. This setup allows for remote monitoring via cloud platforms or mobile apps, ensuring that different types of perishable goods can be transported together while maintaining their specific temperature requirements. The benefits include optimized cargo transport, reduced risk of spoilage, regulatory compliance, enhanced flexibility, cost efficiency, and improved customer satisfaction. By effectively managing different temperature zones, reefer containers ensure the integrity and quality of diverse cargo in a single shipment.

Refrigerated trailer tracking ensures the transportation of temperature-sensitive goods by providing real-time temperature control, GPS tracking, and data analytics. This ensures product quality and safety, compliance with regulatory standards, and reduces waste by preventing spoilage. It improves operational efficiency through optimized routes and better fleet management, leading to cost savings and lower insurance premiums. Enhanced security features, like theft prevention and geofencing, along with accurate delivery estimates and proof of condition, improve customer service. Predictive maintenance and energy management contribute to sustainability and extended equipment lifespan, making refrigerated trailer tracking a vital tool for efficient and reliable logistics, ensuring the safe transport of temperature-sensitive products.

To check the temperature of a reefer container, use the built-in sensors that continuously monitor and display real-time temperature readings on the control panel. You can also access temperature data remotely through connected systems using a computer or mobile device, via a cloud-based platform or specific monitoring app. For manual verification, carefully open the container and use a handheld digital thermometer to check the temperature at different points inside. Additionally, review temperature data logs from electronic data loggers placed inside the container, which record temperatures at set intervals during transport. Monitor alarm systems that alert to any deviations from the set temperature range to ensure quick corrective actions if needed. With these methods, you can maintain the required temperature range inside the reefer container, ensuring the integrity of the perishable goods.

Regulations for refrigerated vehicles require continuous temperature monitoring, data logging, and adherence to specific ranges to ensure the safe transport of perishable goods. Compliance with standards like FDA FSMA, EU Regulation 852/2004, and ATP ensures food safety, quality, and public health protection, with alarm systems and traceable inspection records.