PharmaPort 360 FAQs
Q: How is the PharmaPort different than other active cargo containers?
A: Most active containers are cooled by dry ice or active compressors, so a main differentiator is that the PharmaPort uses regenerative heat exchangers to store cold and heat and maintain cargo temperature during transport. We call this our Pro-Tectic Technology. This unique system of temperature storage and control offers more flexibility in aircraft locations, better temperature stability and uniformity in the internal cargo space, long hold times, and doesn’t require replenishment of dry ice. Please see our website and brochure for additional features and benefits that make the PharmaPort a unique cold chain solution.
Q: Is the PharmaPort a ULD (Unit Load Device)?
A: No, the PharmaPort is classified as Active Cargo. For loading onto an aircraft, the PharmaPort is strapped to a standard ULD Pallet (88x125” or 96x125”). One or two PharmaPort containers can be secured to each pallet. Please see the section of our website explaining the use of aircraft pallets: http://coolcontainers.com/Transportation-Market.aspx
Q: Is the PharmaPort FAA and EASA approved?
A: The PharmaPort has been approved by the FAA for use in commercial and military aircraft. Due to the FAA Approval, international airlines including those operating in Europe can approve the container for use on their aircraft. Most of world’s major airlines have already approved the PharmaPort 360 for use.
Q: Can the PharmaPort be used for ground transport.
A: Absolutely. Due to the unique temperature storage and control system in the PharmaPort, it will actively maintain temperature of its cargo without exchanging air, or emitting any vapor or CO2 to the external environment. For this reason, the PharmaPort is ideal for transportation in non-refrigerated trucks, and it will not affect other cargo on board.
Q: Does the PharmaPort 360 use or require dry ice?
A: No, the PharmaPort uses regenerative heat exchangers (a cold plate and a warm plate) to maintain temperature off the cargo load. These heat exchangers, we call them cold plates and warm plates, are cooled/heated during recharge, when the PharmaPort is plugged in to an electrical outlet.
Q: How is the PharmaPort Charged?
A: The PharmaPort can be plugged into any standard AC electrical outlet, and accepts a voltage range from 100V to 240V, 50/60Hz. The PharmaPort comes with a full set of international plug adapters so it can be charged anywhere in the world. During recharge, a compressor system cools the cold plate, a heater system warms the warm plate, and the battery is charged.
Q: Is the PharmaPort a pre-qualified cold chain shipping container?
A: Yes. We have conducted 3rd party and in house testing to ISTA 7D and additional extreme temperature profiles. We have also performed extensive Operational Qualification testing for major Pharmaceutical Companies that are now using the PharmaPort. Our Qualification Data Packages are available to customers, and we can do custom OQ testing and assist with PQ testing per customer requirements; please contact us at info@coolcontainers.com for information.
Q: Can the PharmaPort 360 also provide heat to prevent freezing in low ambient conditions?
A: Yes, in additional to the cold plate, the PharmaPort also has a warm plate that stores heat. Fans circulate warm air into the cargo space as needed when the ambient temperature is below 5ºC.
Q: Can you adjust the temperature setting?
A: No, the PharmaPort 360 was designed to maintain 5ºC. We decided on this temperature during our research and development process, as we heard from Pharma and Transport companies that maintaining 2-8ºC for high value bio-pharmaceuticals is a significant market need. Please contact us at info@coolcontainers.com if you have other application requirements.
Q: How long will the battery last?
A: The battery inside the PharmaPort 360 is fully rechargable, and on a full charge will run the electronics and circulation fans for well over 100 hrs. Please note that the battery does not run the compressors or heaters during transport. The regenerative heat exchangers will generally run out of “charge” before the battery is depleted.
Q: How long can the PharmaPort maintain its cargo temperature without external power?
A: The “hold time” of the PharmaPort depends on the ambient temperature during transport. For steady state ambient conditions of 23ºC, the hold time is over 100 hours. For a 30ºC ambient, the hold time is approximately 72 hours. Cool Containers has extensive temperature test data available, please contact us at info@coolcontainers.com for details.
Q: Does the PharmaPort use refrigeration compressors?
A: Yes, but only during the recharge mode when the container is plugged in, and the compressors are not active during transport. The PharmaPort has two separate compressors for redundancy.
Q: What material is used in the regenerative storage plates?
A: The cold plate and warm plate are filled with eutectic material that freeze at specific temperatures below and above the PharmaPort’s set temperature of 5ºC.
Q: How does the PharmaPort maintain temperature so accurately?
A: The PharmaPort uses a computer controlled temperature control system, utilizing pulse width modulation to control air flow over the cold and warm plates. The high insulation value of the container, well isolated cooling and heating components, and precision fan and air circulation systems combined with the sophisticated control system provides very accurate temperature control and uniformity throughout the cargo space. Please see our web page: http://coolcontainers.com/Precise-Temperature-Control.aspx.
Q: How long does the PharmaPort 360 take to recharge?
A: A fully depleted PharmaPort at room temperature will take up to 12 hours to fully recharge. The lights on the control panel and remote monitoring web interface will indicate when the PharmaPort’s battery, cold plate and warm plate are fully charged.
Q: Into which types of aircraft will the PharmaPort fit?
A: The PharmaPort will fit into the lower deck (and main deck if configured for freight) of the following wide body air craft: 747, 767, 777, 787, MD-11, L-1011, A300 and all Airbus wide body planes. It will also fit on the main deck of narrow body freight aircraft configured for freight: 727, 737, 757, A319, A320.
Q: How can I purchase or lease the PharmaPort 360?
A: The PharmaPort 360 is currently available for trip leases from UPS Healthcare’s Temperature True Service, and they have a fleet of PharmaPort containers positioned at their depots worldwide. We also have a distributor partner, ULD Logistics. Please contact UPS Healthcare or ULD Logistics for pricing and availability.
Q: How does one check the temperature inside the PharmaPort?
A: The Elpro Libero data logger, located on the control panel will display the internal temperature of the PharmaPort during transport. Alternatively, it is possible to monitor the internal temperature remotely using the Remote Monitoring System.
Q: How does one know if the PharmaPort is low on charge?
A: The status panel of the PharmaPort has indicator lights to communicate low charge on the cold plate, warm plate or battery. Alternatively, it is possible to monitor system charge levels using the Remote Monitoring System.
Q: How does the remote monitoring system work?
A: The PharmaPort features a web based monitoring system that allows an authorized user access to the web interface to see GPS location, internal temperature, cold plate/warm plate status, battery status, as well as additional data. The location and sensor data is transmitted by GSM cellular modem once per hour. There are some limitations to transmissions, as per FAA requirements, the cellular model system shuts off when it has determined it may be on an aircraft. See our web page http://www.coolcontainers.com/Advanced-Monitoring-and-Tracking.aspx
Q: How does the Elpro Libero data logger work?
A: The Elpro Libero logger is an independent device that monitors the internal temperature of the PharmaPort. Temperature and time data is stored inside the Libero during transport, and upon arrival at the cargo’s destination the Libero can be plugged into a computer USB port to generate a PDF report showing temperature vs. time during transit. See our webpage: www.coolcontainers.com/Elpro-Libero-Data-Logger.aspx
Q: Is the PharmaPort Environmentally Friendly?
A: Absolutely. The PharmaPort offers a number of significant environmental advantages over other cold chain transport methods. By eliminating the need for gel packs, and foam packing insulation, the PharmaPort reduced waste that would otherwise end up in landfills. In addition, the volume of space required to ship high density product in the PharmaPort is significantly less (6X to 10X less) compared to passive shipping solutions. This results in a significant reduction in carbon footprint resulting from air or ground transport. The PharmaPort requires only 6.0 kwh of electricity (about $0.50 worth) to completely charge prior to shipping. Contact Cool Containers at info@coolcontainers.com for additional information and to receive a copy of their environmental impact information.