RKN e1 Container (+5 C) Protection by Insulation Version: 01 Page: 2 (22) Document History Version Date of issue Revision(s) Issued by 01 16OCT2012 N/A (First version of document) David Graaf, Envirotainer
RKN e1 Container (+5 C) Protection by Insulation Version: 01 Page: 3 (22) Summary Introduction This report describes one type of failure tests where the purpose is to show how long the container insulation protects the product in case of complete failure of the container heating and cooling system. The performance of the Envirotainer RKN e1 container was evaluated from the results of four (4) tests carried out on one (1) container, under the conditions specified below: Test 1 (warm ambient) Temperature profile: +20 C (static) Test 2 (extreme warm ambient) Temperature profile: +40 C (static) Test 3 (cold ambient) Temperature profile: -10 C (static) Test 4 (extreme cold ambient) Temperature profile: -20 C (static) The container was tested with a maximum volume with a minimum thermal mass load and a set temperature of +5 C and the tests were carried out in the Envirotainer Laboratory in Lagga, Sweden. Conclusion By examining all the the test results from it can be concluded that the container s ability to maintain the product temperature within +2 ºC to +8 ºC, when the MRU is not active is 65 minutes, when the ΔT is 15 ºC. The tests described in this report were performed with a minimal thermal mass of the load (empty boxes). With a higher thermal mass; the container should be able to maintain the product temperature for a longer period of time, this due to the thermal inertia that a load with higher thermal mass contributes to. Table 1-1. Summary of results Ambient temperature Time from MRU deactivation until first product logger was outside +2 ºC to +8 ºC Time from MRU deactivation until first product logger was ±3 ºC from ambient temperature +20 ºC 1 hour and 20 minutes 5 hours and 20 minutes +40 ºC 30 minutes 10 hours -10 ºC 50 minutes 6 hours and 10 minutes -20 ºC 40 minutes 9 hours and 30 minutes
RKN e1 Container (+5 C) Protection by Insulation Version: 01 Page: 4 (22) Table of Contents 1 Introduction... 6 2 Purpose... 6 3 Scope... 6 4 Acceptance Criteria... 7 5 Abbreviations and Definitions... 7 6 Evaluation... 7 7 Conditions... 8 7.1 Specific conditions... 8 7.2 General conditions... 8 8 Equipment... 9 8.1 Equipment list... 9 8.2 Envirotainer RKN e1 container... 10 8.3 Climate chamber 2... 11 8.4 Temperature measuring device... 11 8.4.1 Calibration... 11 9 Test setup... 12 9.1 Container load... 12 9.1.1 Maximum load... 12 9.2 Temperature measuring... 13 9.2.1 Types of device... 13 9.2.2 Measuring frequency... 13 9.2.3 Positions (maximum load)... 14 9.3 Container data... 14 9.4 Temperature profiles and charging... 15 10 Test procedure... 16 10.1 Preparations... 16 10.2 Preconditioning... 16 10.2.1 Container... 16 10.2.2 Product... 16 10.3 Test... 16 10.4 Post test work... 16 11 Results... 17
RKN e1 Container (+5 C) Protection by Insulation Version: 01 Page: 5 (22) 11.1 General... 17 11.2 Test 1. Warm ambient, Temperature profile: +20 C (static)... 18 Test 2. Extreme warm ambient, Temperature profile: +40 C (static)... 19 11.3 Test 3. Cold ambient, Temperature profile: -10 C (static)... 20 11.4 Test 4. Extreme Cold ambient, Temperature profile: -20 C (static)... 21 12 Conclusion... 22
RKN e1 Container (+5 C) Protection by Insulation Version: 01 Page: 6 (22) 1 Introduction The verification testing of the RKN e1 container consists of basic tests and complementary tests at different container set temperatures (i.e. +5 C and +20 C). The complementary tests include failure tests and tests under simulated realistic scenarios. They are performed as a complement to the basic tests which show the container performance within the product specification. This report describes one type of failure tests where the purpose is to show for how long the container insulation protects the product in case of complete failure of the container heating and cooling system. The performance of the Envirotainer RKN e1 container was evaluated from the results of four (4) tests carried out on one (1) container, under the conditions specified below: Test 1 (warm ambient) Temperature profile: +20 C (static) Test 2 (extreme warm ambient) Temperature profile: +40 C (static) Test 3 (cold ambient) Temperature profile: -10 C (static) Test 4 (extreme cold ambient) Temperature profile: -20 C (static) The container was tested with a maximum volume with a minimum thermal mass load and a set temperature of +5 C and the tests were carried out in the Envirotainer Laboratory in Lagga, Sweden. 2 Purpose The purpose of the tests was to investigate the insulation capacity of the Envirotainer RKN e1 container when the heating and cooling system of the container had been switched off. The first objective of the tests was to show the container s ability to maintain the product temperature between +2 C and +8 C. The second objective was to show long it takes until the product temperatures reaches ±5 C from the ambient set temperature. 3 Scope This protocol applies to the Envirotainer RKN e1 container with the test setup and test procedure described in sections 9 and 10.
RKN e1 Container (+5 C) Protection by Insulation Version: 01 Page: 7 (22) 4 Acceptance Criteria In order for the tests to be accepted, the following criteria had to be fulfilled. Product temperature within ±2 C of container set temperature at test start Climate chamber temperature within ±3 C of chamber set temperature during the test after a 2 hour stabilization period from changing the set temperature 5 Abbreviations and Definitions Product Ambient temperature Stable ambient conditions Empty boxes Temperature outside the container Ambient temperature ±3 C from the ambient set temperature for at least 1 hour 6 Evaluation The following were evaluated from the tests: How long it takes until the product temperature reaches outside +2 C and +8 C after the container has been switched off How long it takes until the product temperature reaches ±5 C from the ambient set temperature after the container has been switched off
RKN e1 Container (+5 C) Protection by Insulation Version: 01 Page: 8 (22) 7 Conditions The performance of the Envirotainer RKN e1 container was evaluated from the results of four (4) tests carried out on one (1) container, under the conditions specified below: 7.1 Specific conditions Test 1 (warm ambient) Temperature profile: +20 C (static) Test 2 (extreme warm ambient) Temperature profile: +40 C (static) Test 3 (cold ambient) Temperature profile: -10 C (static) Test 4 (extreme cold ambient) Temperature profile: -20 C (static) 7.2 General conditions Container set temperature: +5 C The same container was used for all tests The same climate chamber was used in all tests The load and container was preconditioned before each test The load was made up of empty cardboard boxes on a pallet The container was unplugged to runon its batteries during the test
RKN e1 Container (+5 C) Protection by Insulation Version: 01 Page: 9 (22) 8 Equipment 8.1 Equipment list The following equipment was used in the tests, see Table 8-1. Table 8-1. Equipment for the tests. Container Climate chamber Equipment Temperature monitoring device Data acquisition hardware (thermocouples type T) Data acquisition software (thermocouples type T) DASYLab 6.0 Reference thermometer Calibration bath Product box Pallet Bubble wrap Stand Description Envirotainer RKN e1 container, RKN60714PC Climate chamber 2 at Envirotainer, Lagga, Sweden Thermocouple type T sensor, model: N/N-24 (Pentronic) Datascan 7000 series (msl) 1521 with Pt-100 probe (Hart Scientific) CBN 8-30 (Heto Holten) containing a water/glycol mixture Corrugated cardboard box ES140 (Boxon) 360 x 250 x 179 mm, 14.2 x 9.8 x 7.0 in (L x W x H) Corrugated cardboard box modified ES140 (Boxon) 280 x 250 x 179 mm, 11.0 x 9.8 x 7.0 (L x W x H) US pallet Protech 4048 (TMF Corporation) 1219 x 1016 x 140 mm, 48 x 40 x 5.5 in (L x W x H) Plastic bubble wrap Plastic pole, PVC pipe 32 x 27.8 mm (Bauhaus) inserted in an axle stand, art no.15-1098 (Biltema)
RKN e1 Container (+5 C) Protection by Insulation Version: 01 Page: 10 (22) 8.2 Envirotainer RKN e1 container Information regarding the container, see Figure 8-1 that was used in the tests can be seen in Table 8-2 Figure 8-1. Envirotainer RKN e1 container. Table 8-2. Technical specifications Envirotainer RKN e1 container. Refrigerating system Thermostat-controlled air conditioning system with compressor cooling and electrical heating. Powered by rechargeable batteries. Recharging power supply Maximum power consumption during charging Maximum charging time 100-240 V AC, 50-60 Hz 1850 W Set temperature range 0 C to +20 C +32 F to +68 F Dimensions External cube (volume) 4.8 m 3 External dimensions (L x W x H) Loading space (L x W x H) Door opening (L x H) 8 h 169.6 cu.ft Internal cube (volume) for refrigerated cargo 2.3 m 3 Tare weight Max net weight of cargo Weight Other information 2000 x 1530 x 1620 mm 78.7 x 60.2 x 63.8 in 1340 x 1319 x 1315 mm 52.7 x 51.9 x 51.7 in 1340 x 1315 mm 52.7 x 51.7 in 81.9 cu.ft 635 kg 1400 lbs 953 kg 2100 lbs Suitable for use on aircraft A300, A310, A330, A340, A380, B747, B767, B777, DC10, IL86, MD11, L1011 Forkliftable with a slot-height of 95 mm (3.7 in).
RKN e1 Container (+5 C) Protection by Insulation Version: 01 Page: 11 (22) 8.3 Climate chamber 2 Information regarding the climate chamber that was used in the tests can be seen in Table 8-3. Table 8-3. Technical specifications of Envirotainer climate chamber 2. Heating and cooling system The cooling system of the chamber (denomination: KA2) consists of 3 compressors connected in a cooling media circuit. There are 3 evaporators inside the chamber connected in parallel in the cooling media circuit. Electrical radiators are installed in front of the fans of the evaporators. The air flow from the fans is constant and each fan blows with a flow rate of 0.9 m 3 /s. The temperature in the climate chamber is regulated by a test control system provided by Hansson Kyl AB. Four sensors in the chamber (positioned on the walls) are used as input for the regulation system. Set temperature range Internal (L x W x H) Door opening (L x H) Dimensions Other information Installed in 2003 by Hansson Kyl i Uppsala AB (ref no 2219) -30 C to +50 C -22 F to +122 F 3.7 x 3.7 x 3.1 m 145.7 x 145.7 x 122 in 3.0 x 2.2 m 118.1 x 86.6 in The accuracy of the climate chamber is ±3 C (±5.4 F) from set temperature. The climate chamber needs a stabilization period when a temperature change is made. 8.4 Temperature measuring device 8.4.1 Calibration The thermocouples were calibrated in a calibration bath against a reference thermometer before and after the tests. The reference thermometer is calibrated yearly at Pentronic AB, accredited by Swedish authority to standard ISO/IEC 17025.The performance and properties of the used testing equipments are traceable, via Pentronic s accredited laboratory (SWEDAC 0076), to standards at the SP Swedish National Testing and Research Institute.
RKN e1 Container (+5 C) Protection by Insulation Version: 01 Page: 12 (22) 9 Test setup 9.1 Container load A maximum container load was used in the tests. Each layer of boxes on the pallet was arranged as seen in Figure 9-1. Figure 9-1. Arrangement of boxes on one pallet for RKN container (view from top). The front is the side towards the container doors. 9.1.1 Maximum load The load was constituted of product boxes on a pallet, for details see Table 9-1 The boxes containing temperature sensors were filled with bubble wrap The remaining boxes were empty The load was not be stretch wrapped The load was centered in the load area, see Picture 9-1 Dimensions of the load (including pallet): 1219 x 1016 x 1214 mm Table 9-1. Load details for maximum load in RKN container. Amount Number of pallets per container 1 Number of layers of boxes per pallet 6 Number of boxes per layer 14 (12 ES140 and 2 modified ES140) Number of boxes per pallet 84 (72 ES140 and 12 modified ES140)
RKN e1 Container (+5 C) Protection by Insulation Version: 01 Page: 13 (22) Picture 9-1. Maximum load inside RKN e1 9.2 Temperature measuring 9.2.1 Types of device One (1) type of temperature measuring device was used in the tests. Thermocouple sensors will measure the product and ambient temperature. 9.2.2 Measuring frequency The thermocouples were set to log the temperature every 10 minutes, in sync with the data being logged by the container, see section 9.3.
RKN e1 Container (+5 C) Protection by Insulation Version: 01 Page: 14 (22) 9.2.3 Positions (maximum load) To measure product temperature, thermocouples were placed inside the boxes, in the air. To measure ambient temperature, thermocouples were placed on a stand inside the climate chamber. Test ID number of the sensor in each position was noted in lab test worksheet FT100026-01. For sensor positions, see Table 9-2 and Figure 9-2. Table 9-2. Sensor positions (maximum load). Positions Thermocouples Ambient 2 Bottom layer 4 Center of Load 1 Top layer 4 Total amount: 11 Figure 9-2. Sensor position (maximum load). 9.3 Container data No container data was downloaded since the container was shut off (and hence no data will logged) during the parts of interest.
RKN e1 Container (+5 C) Protection by Insulation Version: 01 Page: 15 (22) 9.4 Temperature profiles and charging For climate chamber set temperature during preconditioning, see Table 9-3. The temperature profiles in Table 9-4, Table 9-5, Table 9-6 and Table 9-7 were used in the tests. The climate chamber was programmed to the temperature profiles allowing the temperatures to automatically adjust at the times set. The container was unplugged to run on its batteries during the profiles. Table 9-3. Preconditioning. Step Climate chamber set temperature ( C) Duration (h) Charging Preconditioning +5 Until product temperature is +5 ºC ±2 C On Table 9-4. +20 profile. Step Climate chamber set temperature ( C) Duration (h) Charging 1 +20 Until product temperature is ±5 C from ambient set temperature Off Table 9-5. +40 profile. Step Climate chamber set temperature ( C) Duration (h) Charging 1 +40 Until product temperature is ±5 C from ambient set temperature Off Table 9-6. -10 profile. Step Climate chamber set temperature ( C) Duration (h) Charging 1-10 Until product temperature is ±5 C from ambient set temperature Off Table 9-7. -20 profile. Step Climate chamber set temperature ( C) Duration (h) Charging 1-20 Until product temperature is ±5 C from ambient set temperature Off
RKN e1 Container (+5 C) Protection by Insulation Version: 01 Page: 16 (22) 10 Test procedure Test information including deviations or incidents (if any) were noted in lab test worksheet FT100026-01. 10.1 Preparations The thermocouples were calibrated at -30 C, +5 C and +50 C The container clock was checked to show the correct time The temperature sensors were positioned in the loads and in the climate chamber The load was placed in the container The climate chamber was programmed with the specific temperature profile 10.2 Preconditioning 10.2.1 Container The container was preconditioned inside the climate chamber The container was preconditioned until product temperature was +5 ºC ±2 C The container was charged during the preconditioning The container was switched off during the preconditioning The container doors were open during the preconditioning 10.2.2 Product The load was placed inside the container and it was preconditioned in the chamber at the same time as the container 10.3 Test After the preconditioning, each test was performed according to the following: The logging of temperature data was started The product temperature in the center of the load was checked to be within ±2 C of container set temperature The doors of the containers were closed The container temperature was set to +5 C The container was unplugged to run on its batteries The temperature profile was started When the ambient temperature had reached stable ambient conditions the container was switched off The test was terminated after the product temperature had reached ±5 C from the ambient set temperature The temperature data, was downloaded and analyzed 10.4 Post test work The thermocouples were calibrated at -30 C, +5 C and +50 C
RKN e1 Container (+5 C) Protection by Insulation Version: 01 Page: 17 (22) 11 Results 11.1 General The time from MRU deactivation until the product temperature reached outside the +2 ºC to +8 ºC interval has been calculated from MRU deactivation until the first product temperature sensor recorded a temperature outside the interval. The time from MRU deactivation until the product temperature reached ±5 ºC from the ambient temperature has been calculated from MRU deactivation until the first product temperature sensor recorded a ±5 ºC difference from the ambient set temperature.
RKN e1 Container (+5 C) Protection by Insulation Version: 01 Page: 18 (22) 11.2 Test 1. Warm ambient, Temperature profile: +20 C (static) The test results from Test 1 can be seen in Figure 11-1. Figure 11-1. Ambient and product temperatures from Test 1 Ambient +20 ºC Result summary: Container ID: RKN60714PC Climate chamber: CC2 (small chamber) Profile start: 21SEP2012 14:00 Container MRU deactivated: 21SEP2012 16:00 Product temperature above +8 ºC: 21SEP2012 17:20 Time until product temperature above +8 ºC 1 hour and 20 minutes Product temperature ±5 ºC from ambient temperature: 21SEP2012 21:20 Time until product temp. ±5 ºC from ambient temp. 5 hours and 20 minutes All acceptance criteria for the test were fulfilled.
RKN e1 Container (+5 C) Protection by Insulation Version: 01 Page: 19 (22) Test 2. Extreme warm ambient, Temperature profile: +40 C (static) The test results from Test 2 can be seen in Figure 11-2. Figure 11-2. Ambient and product temperatures from Test 2 Ambient +40 ºC Result summary: Container ID: RKN60714PC Climate chamber: CC2 (small chamber) Profile start: 20SEP2012 12:00 Container MRU deactivated: 20SEP2012 16:00 Product temperature above +8ºC: 20SEP2012 16:30 Time until product temperature above +8 ºC 30 minutes Product temperature ±5 ºC from ambient temperature: 21SEP2012 02:00 Time until product temp. ±5 ºC from ambient temp. 10 hours All acceptance criteria for the test were fulfilled
RKN e1 Container (+5 C) Protection by Insulation Version: 01 Page: 20 (22) 11.3 Test 3. Cold ambient, Temperature profile: -10 C (static) The test results from Test 3 can be seen in Figure 11-3. Figure 11-3. Ambient and product temperatures from Test 3 Ambient -10 ºC Result summary: Container ID: RKN60714PC Climate chamber: CC2 (small chamber) Profile start: 26SEP2012 12:00 Container MRU deactivated: 26SEP2012 15:00 Product temperature below +2 ºC: 26SEP2012 15:50 Time until product temperature below +2 ºC 50 minutes Product temperature ±5 ºC from ambient temperature: 26SEP2012 21:10 Time until product temp. ±5 ºC from ambient temp. 6 hours and 10 minutes All acceptance criteria for the test were fulfilled
RKN e1 Container (+5 C) Protection by Insulation Version: 01 Page: 21 (22) 11.4 Test 4. Extreme Cold ambient, Temperature profile: -20 C (static) The test results from Test 4 can be seen in Figure 11-4. Figure 11-4. Ambient and product temperatures from Test 4 Ambient -20 ºC Result summary: Container ID: RKN60714PC Climate chamber: CC2 (small chamber) Profile start: 24SEP2012 15:00 Container MRU deactivated: 24SEP2012 17:00 Product temperature below +2 ºC: 24SEP2012 17:40 Time until product temperature below +2 ºC 40 minutes Product temperature ±5 ºC from ambient temperature: 25SEP2012 21:10 Time until product temp. ±5 ºC from ambient temp. 9 hours and 30 minutes All acceptance criteria for the test were fulfilled
RKN e1 Container (+5 C) Protection by Insulation Version: 01 Page: 22 (22) 12 Conclusion By examining all the test results it can be concluded that the container s ability to maintain the product temperature within +2 ºC to +8 ºC, when the MRU is not active, is 65 minutes, when the ΔT is 15 ºC. For a summary of the results, see Table 12-1. The tests described in this report were performed with a minimal thermal mass of the load (empty boxes). With a higher thermal mass; the container should be able to maintain the product temperature for a longer period of time, this due to the thermal inertia that a load with higher thermal mass contributes to. Table 12-1. Summary of results Ambient temperature Time from MRU deactivation until first product logger was outside +2 ºC to +8 ºC Time from MRU deactivation until first product logger was ±5 ºC from ambient temperature +20 ºC 1 hour and 20 minutes 5 hours and 20 minutes +40 ºC 30 minutes 10 hours -10 ºC 50 minutes 6 hours and 10 minutes -20 ºC 40 minutes 9 hours and 30 minutes