Logistics News

Daikin adds zest to refrigeration containers

Japanese refrigeration specialist Daikin will launch its low energy, high performance refrigeration unit at Intermodal Europe, November 29

November 11, 2011

Japanese refrigeration specialist Daikin will launch its low energy, high performance refrigeration unit ZESTIA at Intermodal Europe, in Hamburg Germany, November 29- December 1.

The company says its ZESTIA container refrigeration unit provides industry-leading energy efficiencies and precise temperature control.

“Daikin Reefer’s refrigeration technology meets carrier and shipper demands for low energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions while providing precise cooling performance for chilled and frozen cargoes,” says Daikin Reefer Business President Shin Furuta.

“With an ever wider range of perishable goods being shipped worldwide than ever before, and considerable growth expected in the coming 5-10 years, the container industry and its customers need sustainable refrigeration solutions.

“After more than two years of research and development, we are confident that ZESTIA will meet the industry’s needs both today and for the foreseeable future.”

One of the principal suppliers of container refrigeration machinery to the global container shipping and leasing industries, Daikin Reefer is part of Daikin Refrigeration, a division of Daikin Industries Ltd, a world leading producer of airconditioning, refrigeration systems and fluoro-chemical products.

The new LX10F container refrigeration unit, to be marketed under the brand name ZESTIA, uses Daikin’s patented DC inverter scroll compressor technology to deliver major energy savings of approximately 45 percent.

The technology has been adapted from the global air conditioning sector, where Daikin has been manufacturing inverter compressors since the late 1980s.

The company produced its first DC inverter scroll compressor for air conditioning in 1996 and has since shipped over 3 million units worldwide.

It is currently the world’s largest supplier of DC inverter-based air conditioning.

“Traditional single speed compressors can only deliver a fixed amount of cooling and heat and have to operate on a ‘stop-start’ principle to maintain a set temperature,” Furuta says.

“By contrast, inverter compressors run at variable speeds, allowing cooling capacity to be adjusted according to cargo needs, ambient conditions and how the refrigeration unit is being used.”

This provides a more flexible, energy-efficient and accurate way of dealing with the extremes of perishable cargo transport.

A key component of Daikin’s DC inverter technology is the DAIKIN Reluctance DC motor, an innovative patented design that uses a strong neodymium permanent magnet for improved efficiency at all rotational speeds.

Operating at high torque and efficiency without slip, the DAIKIN Reluctance DC motor further reduces power consumption.

Units are also fitted with an AC line-reactor to manage unstable and fluctuating electricity input in different parts of the world, and varying transport conditions, such as in long-haul rail operations.

The AC line-reactor additionally prevents negative phase currents which can cause powercuts or over-heating of the supply generators.

“ZESTIA is a premium unit that will be particularly suited for international operators requiring the highest levels of cooling performance, temperature precision and low energy consumption,” Furuta says.

“The new design goes into full production this November at Daikin’s manufacturing facility in Suzhou, China, where it will be built in combination with the established LXE10E scroll compressor container refrigeration machine.”

Along with the new DC-inverter technology, ZESTIA incorporates a number of advanced control features to further improve ease of operation, maintenance and troubleshooting.

The unit’s microprocessor controller has been significantly enhanced, with user-friendly large, backlit LCD screen to give a clear view of temperature records even in dark conditions, including new graphical data display.

Authorised users can also now download trip data and upload software by using a USB memory stick in around 30 seconds, rather than needing to plug in a laptop into the controller.

Also new is the use of LED indicator lights on the controller, helping users to identify failed parts and avoid misdiagnosis of faults.

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