Automated customer communication sent before delivery arrival, typically containing estimated delivery time, driver contact information, delivery instructions, and status tracking capability. Pre-delivery notification in frozen food operations serves multiple critical…
Product Load
The thermal energy that must be removed from cargo to achieve and maintain target temperature, encompassing both sensible heat (temperature reduction) and latent heat (phase change), plus any ongoing heat…
Propylene Glycol (Cold Chain)
A food-grade glycol (chemical designation: propane-1,2-diol) used in cold chain monitoring as the thermal buffer medium in glycol-buffered temperature probes, and separately in food production as a humectant, solvent, and…
Quick-Frozen Food
Food products rapidly frozen using blast freezing, IQF technology, or cryogenic methods creating small ice crystals that preserve cell structure, texture, and nutritional value superior to slow-frozen alternatives. Quick-freezing typically…
Quick-Frozen vs Slow-Frozen
The fundamental distinction in freezing technology impacting product quality, shelf life, and market positioning. Quick-frozen products (blast freezing, IQF, cryogenic methods) achieve -30°C or colder rapidly, creating microscopic ice crystals…
R404A
A hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) blend refrigerant that became the transport refrigeration industry standard after CFC phase-out, now facing its own obsolescence due to high global warming potential (GWP 3,922). R404A works…
R448A
A hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) blend refrigerant designed as a lower-GWP replacement for R404A in medium and low-temperature refrigeration applications. R448A delivers 5-15% improved efficiency at altitude while reducing environmental impact by…
R638 Compliance
South African regulatory framework governing transport of perishable foodstuffs under Regulation R638 of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, mandatory for any professional frozen food courier operation. R638 compliance requires…
Ram Air Effect
The phenomenon where vehicle forward motion creates positive air pressure at forward-facing surfaces, theoretically enhancing condenser airflow without fan power. The transport refrigeration industry invokes “ram air” to justify small…
Recovery Ratio
The percentage of temperature deviation that a refrigeration system can restore between consecutive door openings during multi-stop delivery operations. Recovery ratio measures actual cooling capacity against real-world thermal intrusion—the metric…