Chiller Vans: What Are They and How Do They Work?

For the transportation of perishable goods, temperature control during transit plays a major role in quality and safety. Here come chiller vans in action. These temperature-controlled vehicles are suitable for the transport of temperature-sensitive products such as dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and pharmaceuticals. This is basically to keep the product under a particular temperature during transportation. In this post, we are going to share some juiciness concerning what chiller vans are, their working mechanism, a comparison between a chiller van and a deep freezer van, and how to choose the best chiller van for your business needs.

What Are Chiller Type Freezer Vans?

Chiller-type freezer vans have a vehicular system comprising a refrigeration unit meant to control temperature on the transport of perishable commodities. Mainly, these vans are employed in the conveyance of items, which requires refrigeration; probably at between +2°C and +8°C (35.6°F and 46.4°F). Basically, the temperature range of conventional refrigerated trucks often lies below that; thus, chiller vans are apt for goods that must be kept cool but not frozen.

Chiller vans come with insulated compartments and a cooling system that maintain the ideal temperature of storage for your products, thus keeping them fresh throughout the journey.

Read more: About Chiller Van

How Do Chiller Vans Work?

Chiller vans work on the same principle as home refrigerators but on a larger scale. The large refrigeration system works by circulating cooled air from the refrigeration unit installed within the van. The cold air keeps the temperature inside the van at the required levels, with temperature settings remaining stable.

There are four main components of a chiller van:

🔊 Refrigeration Unit: This is the heart of the chiller van. It keeps the temperature inside the van within the desired range. The unit can be powered by the vehicle's engine or by an external power source, depending on the type of van.

Read more: Refrigerated Van

🔊 Insulated Panels: On the inside, the insulated panels are lined with good-quality insulated foams such that cold air stays inside and no warmth is allowed inside from the outside. This makes it more energy-efficient.

🔊 Thermostat: The thermostat maintains temperature by governing the activity of the refrigeration unit in order to keep the temperature constant.

🔊 Ventilation System: A system of fans and vents circulates cool air throughout the storage area to maintain an even temperature.

Chiller Vans vs. Deep Freezer Vans: What’s the Difference?

Although both chiller vans and deep freezer vans are used to transport temperature-sensitive goods, they work in different temperature ranges.

Chiller Vans:

These chill stuff between +2°C and +8°C. Chiller vans are used for perishable goods needing to be cooled but not frozen. Included are dairy products, fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and pharmaceuticals.

Deep Freezer Vans:

These vans are meant to maintain a much colder temperature, normally below -18°C. These vans are to transport frozen goods like ice cream, frozen vegetables, and meat. The chilling system of deep freezer vans is extremely powerful in maintaining sub-zero temperatures.

Temperature Range and Cooling Mechanism

Chiller vans are normally operated in a temperature ranging from +2C to +8C for the movement of fresh produce, dairy, and meat, and even vaccines. It is vital that this temperature range is maintained because any temperatures outside this range can lead to spoilage or loss of potency in the pharmaceutical products.

The cooling mechanism can be:

♦ Vehicle-Powered:

The refrigeration unit draws power from the van’s own engine.

♦ Independent Power Source:

The refrigeration system can draw power from its own independent source (like a battery or generator), which is particularly useful for long-haul road trips or in cases when the vehicle remains idle for longer periods of time.

Choosing the Right Chiller Van for Your Business

When selecting a chiller van for your business, a few factors to consider. Here are some tips for your decision:

1. Size and Capacity:

💥 Small Business: If you are a small business like a local bakery or produce distributor, a smaller chiller van should be adequate. Look for vans that will fit your specific inventory and yet consume energy minimally.

💥 Larger Businesses: For larger companies, for example, food distributors or pharmaceutical suppliers, larger chiller vans would be required, providing increased storage space and a more powerful refrigeration system.

2. Power Source:

🚚 Vehicle-Powered Units: If you want it to be more convenient and economical, consider the chiller van that uses the vehicle's engine for refrigeration.

🚚 Independent Power Units: These are a better alternative for long-haul deliveries or regions where you’ll be frequently stopping and starting since they won’t be draining the fuel of your vehicle.

3. Compliance: Whichever might be your trade—transporting food, pharmaceuticals, or chemicals, ensure that the chiller van meets the regulations laid down in that specific industry. Temperature and hygiene standards may differ from industry to industry. For instance, pharmaceutical transport commonly requires the compliance of Good Distribution Practice (GDP).

Maintenance Tips for Chiller Vans

Regular upkeep will give the chiller van smooth runs for preserving goods in save mode. Here are some of the tips:

📜 Routine Temperature Check: Holds to calibrating the thermostat and refrigeration unit for the right temperature setting.

📜 Hygiene: The van should be kept clean and sanitized to prevent contamination as far as possible, especially in the case of food products.

📜 Check Cooling System: Refrigeration units including all refrigerants and coolant levels should be checked regularly as well to keep them at top performing levels.

📜 Insulation Check: Check that all insulation panels are sound and airtight to limit cold air washouts and low energy wastage.

Industry Regulations on Chiller Vans

Chiller vans should comply and sometimes even exceed the needed requirements for the current legislation in the relevant industry. For instance:

👉 Food industry: Must comply with FDA and HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point).

👉 Pharmaceutical industry: Must meet GDP (Good Distribution Practices) for the safe transport of medicines that are temperature-sensitive.

👉 Vehicle Standards: Your chiller van must meet all applicable transportation safety standards since it is a vehicle used to transport goods.

Conclusion

Chiller-type freezer vans are highly critical mediums in any industry where perishable items must be maintained with the right integrity. Whether food, pharmaceuticals, or others that have temperature sensitivity, the right kind of chiller van for your needs would help in striving for the better preservation of products during transit. Understanding actually how these chiller vans work, their temperature requirements, and maintenance will help you to make informed decisions about your business and push it for more forward growth.