The MAGNUM®: A New Choice for Deep Frozen Shippers

The challenge for the deep frozen industry has been in finding a reefer unit powerful enough to hold temperatures down to desirable levels – even in older container boxes – for the duration of the transport journey. Journeys that last anywhere from 10 days to 35 days. Journeys that take the container and reefer through cold weather climates, as well as hot and humid climates. Journeys that encounter the unexpected such as periodic power failures or human error.

The MAGNUM®, introduced by Thermo King in 2002 after 5 years of testing, can do it. Even when factoring in the heat leakage (3 to 5 percent per year) of a 15-year container, the MAGNUM unit has the capacity to maintain deep-frozen cargo down to -30 degrees C (-22 degrees F) in a 50-degree C ambient (122 degrees F), extending the usable box life. In newer containers, the MAGNUM can hold temperatures at
-35 degrees C (-31 degrees F).

When it comes to ice cream or other frozen dairy products, the MAGNUM offers additional security and peace of mind. "Typically, ice cream is shipped at -29 degrees C (-20 degrees F) and frozen dairy desserts at -25 degrees C (-15 degrees F)," said Wayne Benson, Thermo King product manager, container. "The reserve capacity of the MAGNUM provides our customers with an added margin of safety. Human error, technical difficulties, environmental challenges and decreased insulation performance in older containers are all realities in the shipping business; the MAGNUM offers a temperature safety cushion when the unexpected occurs."

The MAGNUM unit uses a digital scroll compressor, which allows faster product pull down and ultimately, better product quality. In addition, the MAGNUM consumes less power, reducing overall energy consumption an average of 30 percent and cutting power costs significantly.

"The MAGNUM gives customers the flexibility and security of hauling products at deep-frozen temperatures," continued Benson. "In addition to ice cream, all products benefit from colder storage temperatures. The MAGNUM can be utilized anytime, anywhere for vegetables, fruits, confectionaries, seafood or any refrigerated or frozen products you are transporting. It's an investment you can depend on."