Carrier Refrigeration

Celebrating 50 Years of Container Refrigeration Innovation This year, Carrier Transicold is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the refrigeration system design that helped revolutionize the global transport of perishable and frozen goods via shipping container. Often called a "picture frame" unit, the self-contained refrigeration system fit within a narrow steel frame, approximately 8 by 8.5 feet, that cleanly bolted to the front wall of an insulated shipping container. Introduced by Carrier in 1968, it quickly defined the shape of marine refrigeration systems for generations to follow. "Our legacy of leadership is reflected in the golden anniversary of Carrier's pioneering front-wall container refrigeration unit design," said David Appel, president of Carrier Transicold & Refrigeration Systems. "The design's widespread adoption by the industry propelled expanded trade in refrigerated commodities, with an impact of helping to feed a growing global population by enabling the consumption of agricultural goods virtually everywhere, at any time," Appel added. An Ideal Solution Like so many great inventions before it, this one wasn't appreciated or applied immediately. Carrier's front-wall container refrigeration unit actually traces its origins to the rail industry where, in the 1950s, a bolt-on machine was proposed for sidewall mounting on rail cars. Although prototype machines were built and trialled with a Canadian rail line, the concept did not evolve, and plans were shelved. But around that time, the container shipping industry was just taking shape in the United States when the Ideal X, a converted tanker, carried 58 trailer vans from Newark to Houston. Standard- sized containers soon followed. Carrier engineers working in the Special Products Division in Syracuse, New York, recognized the opportunity and retrieved the rail unit plans, converting the narrow- profile electric refrigeration machine to fit the front wall of a steel shipping container. Carrier's original Frostmaster ® models were the forerunners of today's NaturaLINE ® and PrimeLINE ® units. Prior to 1968, ocean transport of refrigerated cargo primarily was the domain of dedicated vessels with refrigerated holds below deck. By providing a practical solution to refrigerating containers, Carrier added versatility and efficiency to the shipping process. Ultimately, refrigerated containers have enabled the quick loading and Picture Perfect Sometimes a design is so good, you just have to frame it and hang it on a wall. That's probably not what Carrier's engineers were thinking when they created a refrigeration system to mount on the front wall of insulated shipping containers 50 years ago, but thanks to its rectangular steel bracing, the self-contained refrigeration system earned the nickname the "picture frame" design. As discussed in the accompanying story, our engineering objet d'art provided the perfect solution to an emerging need. Over five decades, many system enhancements have refined the performance of our container refrigeration systems, but the fundamental all-in-one design that easily attaches to and perfectly complements an insulated shipping container endures. Equally enduring is Carrier Transicold's commitment to innovation. While great design is timeless, our latest innovations and system improvements are especially timely given industry dynamics related to operating costs, the environment and performance. For example, our TripWise ™ diagnostic software, featured on page 5, runs in the background during voyages, monitoring all aspects of refrigeration unit performance. Doing so cuts costs for shipping lines while helping to assure containers are ready when it's time for the next shipment. Our innovative NaturaLINE ® refrigeration system provides an optimal solution for fleets grappling with changing environmental policies that target refrigerants with high global warming potential (GWP). Now, for customers committed to acquiring PrimeLINE ® units, we have introduced a PrimeLINE provision (page 4) that works with either traditional R-134a refrigerant or the new R-513A, which has a GWP significantly lower – although not in the ultra-low class of natural refrigerants, such as the NaturaLINE unit's CO 2, which is in a league of its own. And, the adage "everything old is new again" takes on a special meaning with our Electronic Board Repair Service, described on page 6. Better than fine art restoration, the service returns used control components to new condition for extended life at lower cost for our customers. As for the picture frame refrigeration design, it's a classic that may well be with us for another 50 years. Even so, our engineers are thinking beyond the box, drawing creative inspiration from evolving industry needs, eager for the next unveiling in our gallery of innovation. Willy Yeo Director of Marketing Global Container Refrigeration 2

• Cover