The company INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES OUTSORCING SERVICES S.L., responsible for the project “SmartEcoReefer”, subsidized by the Ports 4.0 Fund of Puertos del Estado, has carried out the final demonstration of the project that has been carried out in the facilities of the Port of Barcelona. The test was attended by the heads of Innovation of Puertos del Estado, the Port Authority of Barcelona and the Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras, along with those responsible for the project by INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES OUTSORCING SERVICES.
The project seeks to adapt and apply passive and sensorized refrigeration in pallets and containers to develop a temperature-controlled agri-food logistics and distribution system, especially for exports with a transit time of 20 to 25 days, improving perishable goods logistics by avoiding quality losses and shrinkage.
In this sense, SmartEcoReefer is a disruptive solution compared to conventional refrigerated containers. The technology developed is based on an isothermal passive refrigeration system that guarantees the maintenance of a stable temperature without the need for external energy sources during the journey. Specifically, this technology generates an airtight environment in which the temperature remains constant in a natural way thanks to high-performance insulation and calculated thermal inertia.
The system is available for both pallets and containers of various sizes (10, 20 and 40 feet). In addition to its 100% passive version, the company has developed a hybrid solution that makes it possible to take advantage of existing refrigerated containers without replacing them or dismantling their machinery. The innovation consists of a kit of eutectic panels that is quickly installed to create an internal ‘thermal capsule’. This system allows the container to operate flexibly and semi-autonomously, significantly reducing dependence on external diesel generators, as it can operate by relying on both the reefer’s original power supply and an initial electrical charge via a specifically designed, faster and more efficient connection and charger. As a result, fuel and maintenance costs are optimized.
The system also incorporates the application of IoT, Big Data and Artificial Intelligence technologies, aimed at enabling the monitoring, capture and management of preventive data from temperature, humidity, oxygen, carbon dioxide, ethanol sensors and other built-in devices. In addition, these data are the source of information for learning algorithms based on Deep Learning technologies, which enable the generation of early warning systems for predictive management to identify risks and respond, if necessary, to anomalies that may occur during transport to minimize losses due to temperature excursions that may affect the quality of the goods.
On the other hand, it also includes the application of blockchain technology to certify and guarantee the data generated, as well as the development of different modules based on interoperable APIs that enable various analytical services to provide visualization, support and control of the transport process and the exploitation of the services by the user.
After the presentation on the characteristics and particularities of the project execution, a visit to the developed refrigerated container took place.
As for commercialization, the solution is in the initial stages of commercial deployment.
OCEAN ECOSTRUCTURES S.L. and GPA-SEABOTS S.L., beneficiaries of the Ports 4.0 grants, perform the final demonstration of the Oasis project.
