A measure of insulation effectiveness quantifying resistance to heat flow, expressed in m²·K/W (SI units) or ft²·°F·hr/BTU (imperial units). Higher R-values indicate better insulation performance – an R-5.0 insulation allows…
Thermal Stratification
Formation of horizontal temperature layers in refrigerated space, creating 8-15°C differences top-to-bottom – worsened by industry-standard evaporator designs that ignore warm ceiling air accumulation.
Timer-Based Defrost
Automatic defrost control system that activates on fixed time intervals regardless of actual ice accumulation, wasting 60% of defrost energy through inappropriate scheduling.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
Complete lifecycle cost including purchase, fuel, maintenance, and product loss – proper analysis shows R25,000 premium equipment delivers R350,000 savings over 10 years versus cheap alternatives.
Transport Refrigeration Unit (TRU)
Self-contained refrigeration systems mounted on vehicles, trailers, or shipping containers, providing active temperature control independent of vehicle operation. TRUs include compressors, condensers, evaporators, controls, and power sources (typically diesel engines…
Urban Heat Island Effect
The phenomenon where urban areas experience significantly higher temperatures than surrounding rural regions due to heat-absorbing surfaces, reduced vegetation, waste heat from vehicles and buildings, and altered airflow patterns. In…
Vapor Compression Cycle
The fundamental thermodynamic process used in mechanical refrigeration systems, converting electrical or mechanical energy into cooling capacity through phase changes of refrigerant between liquid and gas states. The cycle consists…
Variable Speed Compressor
Refrigeration compressor technology using variable-frequency drives or DC motors to modulate speed based on actual cooling demand, contrasting with traditional fixed-speed compressors that cycle on/off at maximum power. Variable-speed compressors…
Webhook
Event-driven communication mechanism enabling real-time automated notifications from one system to another when specific events occur, essential for responsive eCommerce cold chain integration. Unlike REST APIs where systems must repeatedly…
Western Cape Frozen Delivery
Temperature-controlled last-mile logistics operations specific to South Africa’s Western Cape province, encompassing Cape Town metropolitan area, Winelands region, and surrounding communities. Western Cape operations differ from Gauteng in critical ways:…