It’s generally understood that a passive pallet cover, or other form of protection, is one of the best ways to keep temperature-sensitive products viable and safe once removed from an environment like a reefer unit. However, what’s important to understand is that different factors affect the rate at which the temperature starts to change. Here are a few of the most important ones.
Read more: Four Factors That Affect Temperature ChangeProduct Makeup
One of the biggest factors in temperature change once a product is removed from a reefer unit is the exact nature of the product itself. Variables such as thermal mass, or the density of the product itself, play a role in determining how quickly or slowly a product changes temperature. This is why chocolate, or wine, will not be affected at the same rate as pharmaceuticals or raw meat.
Airflow
Another factor that can affect the rate at which temperature changes is airflow. Depending on your situation, good airflow can help slow temperature changes, such as through proper air circulation in a reefer unit. However, in a warmer environment with good airflow constantly circulating warm air, this can accelerate the temperature change in a product that lacks passive pallet protection.
Ambient Temperature
Another major factor that affects the rate of temperature change is the ambient temperature itself. For example, refrigerated foods that are left outside in winter will not be in any danger of bacterial growth due to the lack of heat and humidity. However, in the same way, a bottle of wine may freeze if left outside in sub-zero temperatures. Conversely, pharmaceuticals that should be chilled will rise in temperature rapidly if left sitting unprotected on a summer’s day on top of hot tarmac from an airplane runway.
Insulation
Finally, the biggest factor affecting the rate of temperature change is whether any insulation, such as passive pallet protection, is used to protect the products. Passive pallet protection for cargo maintains the optimal storage temperature that the products were originally shipped in. The reflective surface of passive pallet protection also ensures that radiant heat from sources such as the sun bounces off a product rather than being absorbed by it, thereby raising the internal temperature. With good passive pallet protection, temperature-sensitive products can experience minimal temperature change outside refrigeration for hours or even days.
If you’re shipping temperature-sensitive products and want to know which shipping method will safely transport them to their destination, we can help. Contact us to discuss your shipping needs and obtain a quote.
