A method and equipment for batch precooling of less-than-truckload (LTL) passive refrigeration boxes

Abstract

This invention relates to a batch pre-cooling method and equipment for less-than-truckload (LTL) passive refrigeration containers. The method includes: Step S1: Upon receiving a signal that pre-cooling has begun after the refrigerant to be pre-cooled has entered the cold storage, the required pre-cooling time is determined based on the current temperature of the refrigerant, combined with the temperature and airflow information of the cold storage, and the location of the refrigerant; Step S2: The cumulative continuous pre-cooling time of each refrigerant is recorded; Step S3: Upon receiving a refrigerant release request, refrigerants whose cumulative continuous pre-cooling time has reached the required pre-cooling time are selected for release in descending order of the difference between the cumulative continuous pre-cooling time and the required pre-cooling time; Step S4: The refrigerant is placed in a set buffer temperature for a preset time before being packed into containers. Compared with the prior art, this invention has advantages such as improved pre-cooling effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of cold chain transportation, and in particular to a batch precooling method and equipment for less-than-truckload (LTL) passive refrigerated containers. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of domestic biopharmaceutical technology in recent years, the demand for large-volume cold chain transportation with strict temperature control throughout the entire process has been increasing. Most cold chain logistics companies use refrigerated trucks for delivery, but the warehouses of consignees and consignees are often not equipped with enclosed loading and unloading platforms, which means that the seamless connection of cold chain logistics in the handover process cannot be guaranteed. This poses a major challenge to drug safety and regulatory compliance.

[0003] Existing technologies using passive refrigeration packaging boxes that combine vacuum insulation panels (VIP) with phase change material solutions (PCM) offer advantages such as high stability, no need for external power supply, all-weather operation, and no restrictions on receiving and shipping locations. This perfectly meets the needs of large-scale commercial biopharmaceutical companies for seamless end-to-end connections. Currently, PCM ice pack pre-cooling solutions are often achieved through refrigerators and freezers. However, due to the low temperature control accuracy of refrigerators and freezers, they cannot be used directly. They are often subjected to subcooling treatment at this stage, and then the refrigerant obtained after being fully frozen is placed in an environment of 22°C to reach the qualified temperature before being packaged.

[0004] Therefore, existing precooling solutions suffer from problems such as long precooling preparation time and low batch size, which cannot meet the needs of large-scale pharmaceutical cold chain operations. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a batch precooling method and equipment for less-than-truckload (LTL) passive refrigeration boxes.

[0006] The objective of this invention can be achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0007] A batch precooling method for less-than-truckload (LTL) passive refrigeration boxes includes:

[0008] Step S1: After receiving the signal that the refrigerant to be precooled has entered the cold storage and precooling has begun, determine the required precooling time based on the current temperature of the refrigerant, the temperature field and air field information of the cold storage, and the location of the refrigerant.

[0009] Step S2: Record the cumulative continuous precooling time for each refrigerant;

[0010] Step S3: Upon receiving a refrigerant release request, refrigerants whose cumulative continuous precooling time has reached the required precooling time will be selected for release in descending order based on the difference between the cumulative continuous precooling time and the required precooling time.

[0011] Step S4: After the refrigerant has been left to stand at the set buffer temperature for a preset time, pack it into a box.

[0012] The temperature field and wind field information are measured by sensors.

[0013] The refrigerant is in a completely liquefied state before entering the cold storage for pre-cooling.

[0014] A batch precooling device for less-than-truckload (LTL) passive refrigeration containers includes:

[0015] A cryogenic rack, wherein the cryogenic rack is provided with multiple storage slots for placing refrigerant, and a gap is provided between each adjacent storage slot;

[0016] The system includes a temperature sensor, a wind speed sensor, and a controller. Multiple temperature sensors and wind speed sensors are provided and located in various parts of the cold storage. Each temperature sensor and wind speed sensor is connected to the controller.

[0017] The operating terminal is connected to the controller.

[0018] The controller is configured to perform the following steps:

[0019] Step S1: After receiving the signal that the refrigerant to be precooled has entered the cold storage and precooling has begun, determine the required precooling time based on the current temperature of the refrigerant, the temperature field and air field information of the cold storage, and the location of the refrigerant.

[0020] Step S2: Record the cumulative continuous precooling time for each refrigerant;

[0021] Step S3: Upon receiving a refrigerant release request, refrigerants whose cumulative continuous precooling time has reached the required precooling time will be selected for release in descending order based on the difference between the cumulative continuous precooling time and the required precooling time.

[0022] The temperature sensor and wind speed sensor are located at least at the top and bottom of each cryogenic rack.

[0023] The operating terminal is an operating panel, which is located on each cryogenic shelf.

[0024] The control panel is connected to the controller via a cable.

[0025] The operating terminal is a mobile terminal.

[0026] The cold storage is also equipped with an air duct, the input end of which is connected to the fan outlet.

[0027] The cryopreservation rack is a stainless steel support.

[0028] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0029] 1. By monitoring the pre-cooling time in the cold storage, the accuracy of the pre-cooling process can be improved, as well as the efficiency of pre-cooling outbound, thus meeting the demand for large-volume refrigerant outbound.

[0030] 2. By adding information about the temperature field and air field of the cold storage, the accuracy of the pre-cooling time setting can be improved.

[0031] 3. By setting larger gaps between storage positions, the precooling effect can be improved.

[0032] 4. By installing air ducts, the temperature consistency inside the cold storage can be improved. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the main steps of the method of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the device of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cryopreservation rack of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the air duct of the present invention;

[0037] The components include: 1. cryopreservation rack, 2. temperature sensor, 3. wind speed sensor, 4. controller, and 5. operation terminal. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. These embodiments are based on the technical solution of the present invention and provide detailed implementation methods and specific operating procedures. However, the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0039] Phase change materials (PCMs) are materials that, during their phase change process, absorb heat (or cold) from the environment and release it back when needed, thereby controlling the ambient temperature. PCMs are prepared from relatively stable organic compounds and inorganic particles with high thermal conductivity, resulting in composite PCMs with stable chemical properties and low or no toxicity or corrosivity. Furthermore, their thermal conductivity is significantly improved compared to organic materials. Paraffin wax, due to its high phase change enthalpy and relatively stable chemical properties, as well as its stable and easily adjustable phase change characteristics, is widely used in phase change energy storage systems. Different compositions of paraffin wax have different phase change temperatures; a wider range of phase change temperatures can be obtained by mixing paraffin waxes with different phase change temperatures. Adding inorganic particles with high thermal conductivity to paraffin wax not only improves the thermal conductivity of the resulting composite material but also retains the original advantages of organic materials.

[0040] Example: A phase change material with a phase change point of +5℃. When placed above +5℃ for an extended period, it remains liquid; when placed below +5℃ for an extended period, it remains liquid-solid. If placed directly from above +5℃ to an environment below +5℃, the phase change material slowly releases heat and simultaneously solidifies. Once completely solidified, it ceases to release heat. If placed directly from below +5℃ to an environment above +5℃, the phase change material slowly absorbs heat and simultaneously liquefies. Once completely liquefied, it ceases to absorb heat.

[0041] Passive temperature control chambers serve to maintain temperature, extending the time it takes for the phase change material to transition from a liquid to a solid state, or from a solid to a liquid state.

[0042] This application provides a batch precooling method for less-than-truckload (LTL) passive refrigeration boxes, such as... Figure 1 As shown, it includes:

[0043] Step S1: After receiving the signal that the refrigerant to be precooled has entered the cold storage and precooling has begun, determine the required precooling time based on the current temperature of the refrigerant, the temperature field and air field information of the cold storage, and the location of the refrigerant.

[0044] Step S2: Record the cumulative continuous precooling time for each refrigerant;

[0045] Step S3: Upon receiving a refrigerant release request, refrigerants whose cumulative continuous precooling time has reached the required precooling time will be selected for release in descending order based on the difference between the cumulative continuous precooling time and the required precooling time.

[0046] Step S4: After the refrigerant has been left to stand at the set buffer temperature for a preset time, pack it into a box.

[0047] By monitoring the pre-cooling time in the cold storage, the accuracy of the pre-cooling process can be improved, as well as the efficiency of pre-cooled refrigerant delivery, thus meeting the demand for large-volume refrigerant delivery.

[0048] Temperature and airflow information are measured by sensors. Furthermore, the refrigerant is fully liquefied before entering the cold storage for pre-cooling.

[0049] like Figure 2 As shown, this application provides a batch pre-cooling device for a less-than-truckload (LTL) passive refrigeration box, comprising:

[0050] The freezer rack 1 has multiple storage slots for storing refrigerant, with gaps between adjacent storage slots;

[0051] Temperature sensor 2, wind speed sensor 3 and controller 4. There are multiple temperature sensors 2 and wind speed sensors 3, which are located in various places in the cold storage, and each temperature sensor 2 and wind speed sensor 3 is connected to the controller 4.

[0052] Operation terminal 5 is connected to the controller;

[0053] The controller constructs the temperature field and air field information of the cold storage based on the data collected by the sensors. In this embodiment, the construction method can be a linear model or an existing construction method. This application does not make any improvements to this method.

[0054] When using refrigerators to freeze refrigerant in bulk, the refrigerant may pile up during the batch processing, and there is a possibility that the refrigerant piled in the middle may not be able to be frozen properly. Placing the refrigerant on an ice pack freezer rack before freezing completely avoids this situation.

[0055] In some embodiments, temperature sensor 2 and wind speed sensor 3 are distributed at least at the top and bottom of each cryogenic rack 1.

[0056] In some embodiments, the operating terminal 5 is an operating panel similar to that of an 86-type computer, disposed on each cryopreservation rack 1, and the operating panel is connected to the controller 4 via a cable. In other embodiments, the operating terminal 5 is a mobile terminal, and the relevant steps are performed via a mobile phone.

[0057] Among them, the cryopreservation rack 1 is a support frame composed of stainless steel tubes, specifically as follows: Figure 3 As shown.

[0058] In this embodiment, the cold storage is also equipped with an air duct, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the inlet of the air duct is connected to the fan outlet. The air duct delivers cold air to various locations within the cold storage, increasing the temperature uniformity of the cold storage. The air duct can be installed horizontally.

Claims

1. A batch precooling method for a less-than-truckload (LTL) passive refrigeration box, characterized in that, The method comprises the following steps: Step S1: after receiving a signal that the refrigerant to be pre-cooled enters the cold storage and starts pre-cooling, determining the required pre-cooling time according to the current temperature of the refrigerant, combining the temperature field and wind field information of the cold storage, and the position of the refrigerant; Step S2: recording the cumulative continuous pre-cooling time of each refrigerant; Step S3: when receiving the request of the refrigerant to leave the cold storage, selecting the refrigerant to leave the cold storage according to the descending order according to the difference between the cumulative continuous pre-cooling time and the required pre-cooling time; Step S4: after the refrigerant is placed at a set buffer temperature for a preset time, the refrigerant is packed.

2. A method for bulk precooling of less-than-truckload passive refrigeration boxes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The temperature field and wind field information are measured by sensors.

3. A method for bulk precooling of less-than-truckload passive refrigeration boxes according to claim 1, wherein, The refrigerant is in a completely liquefied state before entering the cold storage to start pre-cooling.

4. A parcel passive refrigeration box bulk pre-cooling apparatus, characterized by, The method comprises the following steps: A cryopreservation rack (1) is provided with a plurality of storage positions for placing refrigerants, and gaps are provided between adjacent storage positions; A temperature sensor (2), a wind speed sensor (3), and a controller (4) are provided, and the temperature sensor (2) and the wind speed sensor (3) are provided with a plurality of sensors, respectively located in different parts of the cold storage, and each temperature sensor (2) and wind speed sensor (3) is connected with the controller (4); An operation terminal (5) is connected with the controller; The controller (4) is configured to perform the following steps: Step S1: after receiving a signal that the refrigerant to be pre-cooled enters the cold storage and starts pre-cooling, determining the required pre-cooling time according to the current temperature of the refrigerant, combining the temperature field and wind field information of the cold storage, and the position of the refrigerant; Step S2: recording the cumulative continuous pre-cooling time of each refrigerant; Step S3: when receiving the request of the refrigerant to leave the cold storage, selecting the refrigerant to leave the cold storage according to the descending order according to the difference between the cumulative continuous pre-cooling time and the required pre-cooling time.

5. A LCLC passive refrigeration box bulk pre-cooling apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The temperature sensor (2) and the wind speed sensor (3) are distributed at least on the top and bottom of the cryopreservation rack (1).

6. A LCLC passive refrigeration box bulk pre-cooling apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The operation terminal (5) is an operation panel provided on the cryopreservation rack (1).

7. A LCLC passive refrigeration box bulk pre-cooling apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The operation panel is connected with the controller (4) through a cable.

8. A LCLC passive refrigeration box bulk pre-cooling apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The operation terminal (5) is a mobile terminal.

9. A LCLC passive refrigeration box bulk pre-cooling apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The cold storage is also provided with an air guide pipe, and the input end of the air guide pipe is connected to the fan port.

10. A LCLC passive refrigeration box bulk pre-cooling apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The cryopreservation rack (1) is a stainless steel support.

Images