What Types of Refrigerated Containers Are There?

Refrigerated containers are a common type of container, and there are many varieties. Many people find it hard to tell apart the product categories of refrigerated containers. According to our company's editor, depending on cargo transport and shipping conditions, refrigerated containers fall into many types, which can be broadly classified as follows:

1. External refrigerated containers No refrigeration unit; the box has good thermal insulation. Soft hose connectors at the end of the box can connect to refrigeration equipment at shipboard or land-based freezing stations to supply cold to the container.

2. Integral refrigerated containers A refrigeration unit is installed inside the container (such as a compression refrigeration unit, absorption refrigeration unit, etc.) to supply cold. Power comes from shipboard or shore power, or a self-contained generator runs the refrigeration unit.

3. Controlled-atmosphere refrigerated containers Control the concentrations of oxygen, carbon dioxide, ethylene, and other gases in the container air to suppress respiration and ripening of fruits and vegetables, and lower the internal temperature to the required storage temperature.

4. Expendable-refrigerant refrigerated containers Including ice refrigerated containers, dry-ice refrigerated containers, liquid-nitrogen refrigerated containers, liquid-air refrigerated containers, liquid-carbon-dioxide refrigerated containers, cold-plate refrigerated containers, and similar types. These cannot achieve continuous refrigeration and are mainly suited to short-distance transport in small refrigerated containers.

5. Refrigerating and heating containers Refrigerated containers equipped with both a refrigeration unit (mechanical refrigeration or expendable refrigerant) and a heating unit. They can cool or heat as needed so the temperature inside stays within the set range.

6. Jacketed refrigerated containers These have a channel—a jacket—along the walls for cold-air circulation. Cargo loading does not affect air circulation and thus does not affect temperature distribution. The entire jacket-space volume is used for cargo; they are generally used to carry frozen goods.