EP3497384A1

EP3497384A1 - Transport container

Info

Publication number: EP3497384A1
Application number: EP17758612.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Nico Ros
Original assignee: REP IP AG
Current assignee: REP IP AG
Priority date: 2016-08-09
Filing date: 2017-08-09
Publication date: 2019-06-19
Also published as: US11920832B2; CN109716042A; WO2018029522A1; US20190178534A1; AT518924A1; BR112019002561A2; CA3033119A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a transport container for transporting temperature-sensitive goods, comprising a chamber (9) for accommodating the goods to be transported, a casing enclosing the chamber (9) and at least one cooling element for controlling the temperature of the chamber (9). The cooling element comprises an evaporation element (3, 19, 31) having a cooling surface (4), and a desiccant (5, 21, 32) for receiving the coolant evaporated in the evaporation element (3, 19, 32). The transport container further comprises a latent heat store (2, 20, 30) which is in heat exchange with the chamber.

Description

transport container

The invention relates to a transport container for the transport of temperature-sensitive goods to be transported comprising a chamber for receiving the cargo, a housing enclosing the shell and at least one cooling element for tempering the

Chamber, wherein the cooling element comprises:

an evaporation element with a cooling surface,

a desiccant for absorption in the

Evaporation element evaporated coolant,

a transport route to transport the evaporated

Coolant to the desiccant,

optionally a supply chamber for the coolant which can be brought into fluid communication with the evaporation element.

When transporting temperature-sensitive goods to be transported, such as For periods of several hours or days, prescribed storage and transport temperature ranges must be maintained to ensure the usability and safety of the medicinal product. For

various drugs are temperature ranges from 2 to 25 ° C, especially 2 to 8 ° C as storage and

Stipulated transport conditions.

The desired temperature range can be above or below the ambient temperature, so that either cooling or heating of the interior of the transport container is required. If the environmental conditions change during a transport operation, the required

Temperature include both cooling and heating. So that the desired temperature range during transport is permanently and demonstrably adhered to, transport containers with special insulation capacity are used. These containers are equipped with passive or active tempering elements. Passive tempering require during use no external power supply, but use their heat storage capacity, and it comes depending on the temperature level to a release or absorption of heat to or from the to be tempered transport container interior. However, such passive tempering are exhausted as soon as the temperature compensation with the transport container interior

is completed.

A special form of passive tempering elements are

Latent heat storage, the thermal energy in

Can store phase change materials whose latent

Heat of fusion, heat of solution or heat of absorption is much greater than the heat that they can store due to their normal specific heat capacity. A disadvantage of latent heat storage is the fact that they lose their effect as soon as the entire material has completely gone through the phase change. However, by performing the reverse phase change, the latent heat storage may be recharged.

Active temperature control elements require an external energy supply for their operation. They are based on the transformation of a non-thermal energy form into a thermal energy form. The release or absorption of heat is carried out, for example, in the context of a thermodynamic cycle, such.

by means of a compression refrigeration machine. Another embodiment of active temperature control elements operates on the basis of the thermoelectric principle, whereby so-called Peltier elements are used. The for the temperature control of a transport container

required energy must therefore be carried in the form of an electrical storage or a thermal storage. Not only the volume, but also the weight and the ability to authorize the temperature control system play in particular for transport containers for air freight

Energy storage is a big part. The existing today

Cooling systems often have a large weight in relation to the insulation. The high weight in passive cooling systems is due to the limited enthalpy, because this is in the

usable temperature ranges of 2-8 ° C, 15-25 ° C and 34-38 ° C at about 200kJ / kg. The energy density of accumulators required for active cooling systems is generally greater than 200 kJ / kg, but the maximum permissible energy density for transport in aircraft is approximately 180 kJ / kg.

From WO 02/099345 AI a transport container has become known, which with a sorption as a cooling system

trained passive tempering is equipped. The cooling system comprises an evaporation element with a

Cooling surface, a desiccant for absorption in the

Evaporation element evaporated coolant, a

Transport path for transporting the evaporated coolant to the desiccant and one with the evaporation element in

Fluid connection bringable storage chamber for the coolant. As a coolant, for example, water is used, wherein the amount of heat required for the evaporation of the coolant withdrawn from the cargo to be cooled and this is cooled in this manner. Such a cooling system is inexpensive and has a low volume and a low weight. Already a comparatively small amount of entrained coolant is sufficient to achieve high cooling performance, because high volumes of energy for the evaporation of liquids are required, which are significantly higher than those of the phase transition solid-liquid. The energy needed to evaporate water is around 2,500kJ / kg at 8 ° C. The absolute amount of water that can hold air or a gas or gas mixture (100% relative humidity), depends heavily on the

Temperature off. At a temperature of 30 ° C, ³ l of air can absorb 30gr of water, but at a temperature of 5 ° C, ³ l of air can absorb only about 7gr. The evaporation rate and thus the cooling capacity can be determined by the following parameters

the water supply per unit time, the size of the evaporation surface and the relative water saturation of the surrounding gas. In order to achieve a low water saturation of the surrounding gas, the gas laden with the evaporated water is passed to a desiccant which adsorbs the water. The drying agent is in this case on that side of the cooling element, is to be given off on the heat, the evaporation layer is located on the side of the cooling element on which to be cooled.

A disadvantage of that described in WO 02/099345 AI

Cooling system is that the transport container can only be cooled, but not heated. A heating is but

For example, then required if the ambient temperature is well below 0 ° C and the cargo in one

Temperature range of 2-8 ° C is to be maintained. Another problem is that the evaporative cooling also runs when the ambient temperature anyway in the desired

Range of, for example, 2-8 ° C, for example when the transport container is stored for a long time in a cold store, which can sometimes be the case during customs clearance for up to 60 days. The refrigerant to be evaporated is consumed after such a long time, so for further transport after leaving the cold store no more cooling power is available.

The invention therefore aims to provide a transport container of the type mentioned with an improved cooling system. In particular, the cooling system is to be improved to the effect that the cargo kept with the same weight of the cooling system over a longer transport time away in a predefined temperature range or without reducing the maximum possible transport time, a reduction of

Weight and / or the volume of the cooling system can be achieved. In this case, the predefined temperature range should be able to be maintained not only at a higher ambient temperature but also at a lower ambient temperature.

To solve this problem, the invention provides a

Transport container of the type mentioned above, essentially, that the transport container further a

Latent heat storage includes, with the chamber in

Heat exchange connection is. The combination of two different cooling systems, namely one

Evaporative cooling system with a latent heat storage, brings a number of advantages. The performance of

Evaporative cooling system can be reduced so that it can be made smaller and with less weight. The total cooling capacity can be divided between the evaporative cooling system and the latent heat storage. The cooling system can be designed so that when the performance of the evaporative cooling system is insufficient and the

Temperature of the chamber increases, the additional cooling power is obtained from the latent heat storage, which energy for the

Phase transition from solid to liquid needed. The cooling system may preferably be designed so that the phase transition temperature (solid to liquid) of the

Latent heat storage is chosen lower than that resulting from the cooling capacity of the evaporative cooling system temperature. With the evaporative cooling system, the temperature of the chamber can be preferably reduced to a temperature of 12-20 ° C, the further cooling to a temperature in the range of 2-8 ° C by means of the latent heat storage is made.

By this combination, the drying agent of the

Evaporative cooling system are operated with a higher relative humidity, whereby the amount of desiccant can be reduced. Also, the amount of latent heat storage can be reduced, since this only the energy for cooling from the range of 12-20 ° C to the range of 2-8 ° C must be available.

Another advantage is that with a partially charged (i.e., not fully crystallized) latent heat storage, it can be used to protect the chamber from overcooling or within the desired temperature range of e.g. 2-8 ° C when the outside temperature drops below the level of the desired temperature range.

In a preferred embodiment, in which the cargo to be kept in the chamber in a temperature range of 2-8 ° C, the latent heat storage is with a

Phase transition temperature of about 4-6 ° C formed.

If the shipping container is to be stored for a long time (e.g.

Days) is stored in a cold store (for example, in a

Customs warehouse), e.g. at a temperature of 2-8 ° C, and that

Evaporative cooling system to achieve a cooling capacity is set above the temperature prevailing in the cold store temperature, the evaporative cooling system is not active during storage, so no coolant is consumed. Furthermore, the period of storage can be used to charge the latent heat storage, which happens automatically in the cold store at a temperature of, for example, below 6 ° C, when the phase transition temperature of

Latent heat storage at 6 ° C. As a result, with minimal design of the two systems (latent heat storage and

Evaporative cooling system) a longer use or

Transport duration of the transport container can be achieved as if only a cooling system alone would be used.

Another advantage of the invention arises when the evaporative cooling system provides more cooling capacity than required. The excess cooling power can then be used to recharge the latent heat storage, i. in the solid or crystallized state

due.

A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the evaporative cooling system and the latent heat storage are arranged in cascading, i. that seen in the direction from the outside to the inside of the transport container first the evaporative cooling system is effective and then the latent heat storage. The cooling surface of the evaporation element is therefore with the

Latent heat storage in heat exchange connection and the

Latent heat storage is in with the chamber

Heat exchange connection. This can be realized in a constructive manner preferably in that the

Latent heat storage between the cooling surface and the chamber is arranged. When the cooling capacity of the evaporative cooling system is set to a temperature above the phase transition temperature of the latent heat storage, a preferred embodiment provides that the cooling surface and the latent heat storage are separated by a thermal insulation. Although the cooling surface of the evaporation element and the latent heat storage are then in heat exchange connection with each other, however, the heat exchange is significantly slowed down by the thermal insulation, so that there is a corresponding temperature gradient.

To ensure a safe operation of the evaporative cooling system, wherein the relative humidity can be controlled independently of the environment is preferred

provided that the evaporative cooling element is sealed against the environment vapor diffusion tight. The

evaporated coolant is thus completely in the

Desiccant adsorbed, wherein on the adjustment of prevailing in the gas atmosphere of the evaporative cooling system relative humidity, the cooling capacity in a simple manner

can be determined.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the evaporation element and the drying agent by a thermal insulation

are separated from each other. The thermal insulation may be formed as arranged between the evaporation element and the drying agent insulation layer, wherein the

Insulation layer as a transport route for the transport of

evaporated coolant can be used to desiccant. A preferred embodiment provides in this context that the thermal insulation between the

Evaporation element and the desiccant one Includes vapor diffusion open insulation layer, which forms the transport route.

Alternatively, the transport path may comprise at least one channel extending between the evaporation element and the desiccant.

Particularly suitable as drying agents are silica gels.

These are inexpensive and can save up to 60% of their

Own weight of liquid, especially water absorb.

The evaporation element advantageously comprises a coolant, in particular water, absorbing textile, in particular a felt. Basically, any material that has a large surface area is suitable.

With regard to the latent heat storage is such

preferred, the phase change in the temperature range of the desired temperature is characterized by the transition between solid and liquid or vice versa. preferred

Phase transition materials include paraffins and

Salt mixtures, e.g. RT5 from Rubitherm or Paraffine from Sasol. Particularly preferably, the latent heat storage has a

Phase transition temperature of 3-10 ° C, in particular 5 ° C, on, whereby the chamber for the cargo can be kept in a simple manner in a temperature range of 2-8 ° C. The latent heat storage may be preferred as a plate-shaped

Element be formed. An advantageous embodiment results when the plate-shaped element a plurality of

in particular honeycomb-shaped hollow chambers, with the Latent heat storage material are filled, wherein a honeycomb structural element according to WO 2011/032299 AI is particularly advantageous.

A particularly efficient temperature control is according to a

preferred embodiment achieved when the latent heat accumulator surrounds the chamber on all sides. Furthermore, it can also be provided that the cooling surface of the evaporation element, the chamber

surrounds all sides.

In this context, it can be provided that the

Latent heat storage and the evaporation element each form a layer of the shell of the transport container.

The transport container according to the invention can basically be realized in any dimensions.

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments shown schematically in the drawing

explained. 1 shows a first embodiment of the cooling system for a transport container according to the invention, FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the cooling system for a

3 shows a cross section of a first embodiment of a transport container with a cooling system, FIG. 4 shows a cross section along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 shows a cross section of a second embodiment of a transport container with a cooling system, and FIG one

Cross-section along the line VI-VI of FIG. 5.

In Fig. 1, a cooling system is shown, the one

Evaporative cooling system 1 and a latent heat storage 2 includes. The evaporative cooling system 1 includes a

Evaporation element 3, which with a coolant, such as Water is soaked and has a cooling surface 4, and a drying means 5 for receiving evaporated in the evaporation element 3 coolant. Between the evaporation element 3 and the desiccant 5, a thermal insulation layer 7 is arranged, which is designed to be open to vapor diffusion, to allow the transport of the evaporated coolant from the evaporation element 3 to the desiccant 5. That evaporated

Coolant is added to the desiccant 5, which is e.g. from

Silica gel is formed, adsorbed. The described elements of the evaporative cooling system 1 are of a gas-tight

Envelope or a gas-tight housing 8 surrounded so that the relative humidity of the gas atmosphere within the

Evaporative cooling system 1 can be controlled independently of the environment.

The drying agent 5 is in this case on that side of the evaporative cooling system 1, is to be given off the heat and the evaporation element 3 is located on the (opposite) side of the

Evaporative cooling system 1, on which to be cooled.

On the cooling side of the evaporative cooling system 1, a plate-shaped latent heat accumulator 2 is now arranged, which is in heat exchange connection with the cooling surface 4 of the evaporative cooling system 1 either directly or with the interposition of a thermal insulation (not shown). On the

Evaporative cooling system 1 side facing away from the

Latent heat storage 2 is the chamber to be tempered. 9

arranged.

In Fig. 2 an alternative embodiment is shown, wherein like reference numerals designate the same components as in Fig. 1. The training of FIG. 2 differs from the formation of FIG. 1, characterized in that the transport of the evaporated coolant from the evaporation element 3 for

Desiccant 5 is not done by the insulating layer 7, but via a separate channel 10. The gas-tight

Enclosure does not therefore have to surround the insulating layer 7, but is limited to the evaporation element 3, the channel 10 and the drying means 5. This design allows greater flexibility in the arrangement of the drying agent 5, wherein the drying agent, for example, interchangeable in

Transport container can be added. Furthermore, a storage chamber 6 connected to the evaporation element 3 is provided for coolant, in particular water, which allows refilling of coolant in a simple manner. The training, as shown in FIG. 2 is particularly suitable for large-volume

Transport container.

3 and 4 show a cuboid transport container 11, the walls of which are designated 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16. On the sixth side of the transport container 11 is closed by a door or a lid 17. The walls and the lid have the following layer structure. The walls 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 each comprise an outer insulating layer 18 made of a thermally insulating material. This is followed by an as

Evaporation element formed layer 19 at. The innermost layer 20, which delimits the chamber 9 to be tempered, is designed as a latent heat storage layer. The wall 13 additionally has the desiccant as the outermost layer 21. However, the drying agent-containing layer may also be arranged on another wall as the outermost layer. The insulating layer 18 is formed vapor diffusion open to the transport of the evaporated coolant from the

Allow evaporation layer 19 to the desiccant 21. Of the Cover 17 includes only the outer insulating layer 18 and the latent heat storage layer 20th

5 and 6 show a modified embodiment of a cuboid transport container 22, whose walls are designated by 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27. On the sixth side of the transport container 22 is closed by a door or a cover 28. The walls and the lid have the following layer structure. The walls 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 each include an outer insulating layer 29 and an inner

The latent heat storage layer 30. The lid 28 likewise comprises an insulating layer 29, which is located between an inner layer 31 designed as an evaporation element and an outer layer 32 comprising the drying agent

is arranged. The lid 28 is in a simple manner

replaceable, whereby a spent cooling element can be exchanged for an unused cooling element.

Claims

Claims:

1. Transport container for the transport of

temperature-sensitive transport goods comprising a chamber (9) for receiving the transport goods, one the chamber (9)

enclosing envelope and at least one cooling element for

Tempering the chamber (9), wherein the cooling element comprises:

an evaporation element (3, 19, 31) with a cooling surface

(4)

a desiccant (5, 21, 32) for receiving in

Evaporating element (3, 19, 31) evaporated coolant, a transport path for the transport of the evaporated

Coolant to the desiccant (5, 21, 32),

optionally one with the evaporation element (3, 19, 31) in

Fluid connection bringable storage chamber (6) for the

Coolant,

characterized in that the transport container further comprises a latent heat accumulator (2, 20, 30) which is in heat exchange communication with the chamber (9).

2. Transport container according to claim 1, characterized in that the cooling surface (4) with the latent heat accumulator (2, 20, 30) and the latent heat accumulator (2, 20, 30) with the chamber (9) is in heat exchange connection.

3. Transport container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized

in that the latent heat store (2, 20, 30) is arranged between the cooling surface (4) and the chamber (9).

4. Transport container according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the cooling surface (4) and the Latent heat storage (2, 20, 30) are separated by a thermal insulation.

5. Transport container according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cooling element is sealed against the environment vapor diffusion tight.

6. Transport container according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the evaporation element (3, 19, 31) and the drying means (5, 21, 32) are separated from each other by a thermal insulation.

7. Transport container according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the transport path comprises at least one extending between the evaporation element (3, 19, 31) and the drying means (5, 21, 32) extending channel (10).

8. Transport container according to claim 6 or 7, characterized

characterized in that the thermal insulation between the evaporation element (3, 19, 31) and the desiccant (5, 21, 32) comprises a vapor diffusion-open insulation layer which forms the transport path.

9. Transport container according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the latent heat storage (2, 20,

30) has a phase transition temperature of 3-10 ° C, in particular 5 ° C having.

10. Transport container according to one of claims 1 to 9,

characterized in that the evaporation element (3, 19,

31) a the coolant, in particular water, receiving

Textile, in particular a felt, comprises.

11. Transport container according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the latent heat accumulator (2, 20, 30) surrounds the chamber (9) on all sides.

12. Transport container according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the cooling surface (4) of the

Evaporation element (3, 19, 31) surrounds the chamber (9) on all sides.

13. Transport container according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the latent heat accumulator (2, 20, 30) and the evaporation element (3, 19, 31) each form a layer of the shell of the transport container.