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MTS Thermal Qualification Report
Title: Series 4 – 2896, with Pelican Case Outer, ISTA Summer, No Load, Thermal Qualification Test Report
Test Location: Minnesota Thermal Science, LLC 3020 Niagara Lane N. Plymouth, MN 55447 United States Test Report Number: TR-MTS-12-213-1 Final Report Release Date: 03 August 2012 Test Start/End Date: 17 February 2012 / 26 July 2012 Report Revision Level: Rev-A Referenced Documents: MTS Test I.D. #: 12-048-MTS002 12-200-MTS002
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 Objective ...................................................................................... Page 1
2.0 Scope ........................................................................................... Page 1
3.0 Acronyms ..................................................................................... Page 1
4.0 Definitions ................................................................................... Page 1
5.0 Executive Summary ...................................................................... Page 2
6.0 Background .................................................................................. Page 3
7.0 Materials and Equipment ............................................................. Page 3
7.2 Equipment List ............................................................................ Page 3
7.2 Equipment Calibration.................................................................. Page 4
8.0 Test Plan Outline .......................................................................... Page 4
9.0 Procedures ................................................................................... Page 4
9.1 TIC Conditioning .......................................................................... Page 4
9.2 Probe Placement ......................................................................... Page 4
9.3 Payload ..................................................................................... Page 5
9.4 Shipper Packout .......................................................................... Page 5
9.5 Temperature Profile..................................................................... Page 6
9.5.1 ISTA 7D Winter Temperature Profile ....................................... Page 6
9.5.2 ISTA 7D Summer Temperature Profile ..................................... Page 6
10.0 Results ......................................................................................... Page 7
11.0 Equipment / Setup Pictures .......................................................... Page 8
12.0 Appendix ...................................................................................... Page 9
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1.0 Objective The objective of the study was to investigate the amount of time the Series 4 – 2896, with Pelican case outer, could maintain temperature at or between 1°C and 10°C as well as at or between 2°C and 8°C while subjected to the ISTA Summer and ISTA Winter temperature profiles.
2.0 Scope The Series 4 – 2896 Pelican case shipping system was subjected to two separate temperature profiles the “ISTA Summer 24 hour cycled 7D shipping profile with hot shipping and hot receiving conditions,” and the “ISTA Winter 24 hour cycled 7D shipping profile with cold shipping and cold receiving conditions.” This study examined the shipper’s performance without the additional thermal mass of a payload.
3.0 Acronyms
MTS: Minnesota Thermal Science, LLC ISTA: International Safe Transit Association NIST: National Institute of Science and Technology PCM: Phase Change Material TIC: Thermal Isolation Chamber VIP: Vacuum Insulation Panel
4.0 Definitions Conditioning: The process of exposing materials to predetermined environmental (temperature/humidity) conditions for specific lengths of time in order to render the material fit for use. Non-insulating Dunnage: Material designed to take up space without adding to the R-Value of the shipper. The non-insulating dunnage that was used in this test was 6” x 1” x 1” polyethylene foam strips. Packout: The design configuration for the temperature controlled package. Payload: Mock product contained in the insulated shipper to mimic real load. This test was conducted to test the thermal properties of the shipper without a load therefore no payload was used.
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Staging Time: The length of time immediately following TIC conditioning and before packout when the TICs are removed from the freezer and allowed to sit at room temperature so that the PCM inside will rise to the operating temperature range. Temperature Probe: A device which measures local temperature within a calibrated tolerance. The temperature probes used for this thermal operational qualification were Global Sensors calibrated LogTag data loggers. Temperature profile: The temperature set points and exposure times experienced by the insulated shipper within the environmental chamber. Thermal Performance Study: The action of studying a container’s thermal capabilities under highly controlled conditions.
5.0 Executive Summary A Series 4 – 2896, with Pelican case outer, was exposed to two different ambient temperature profiles, specifically the ISTA 7D Summer 24 hour cycled temperature profile and the ISTA 7D Winter 24 hour cycled temperature profile. The study investigates the thermal performance of the shipper without a payload. The test revealed that the shipping system was able to maintain internal payload area temperatures at or between 1°C and 10°C for over 120 hours under ISTA 7D Winter conditions, and for 111.67 hours under ISTA 7D Summer conditions. The shipper was able to maintain temperatures in the range of 2°C and 8°C for over 120 hours under ISTA 7D Winter conditions and for 106.33 hours under ISTA 7D Summer conditions. Note that the ISTA Winter Test was stopped at 187.83 hours. There were no excursions outside the designated temperature ranges before the test was stopped in the ISTA Winter Profile. The performance results are summarized in Table 1 referencing the first probe to have an excursion outside the required 2°C and 8°C range and 1°C and 10°C range.
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Series 4 – 2896, with Pelican case outer, ISTA Summer and Winter Thermal Performance
Shipper Test Profile Payload TIC
Conditioning Temperature
Range In-Spec.
Time
Series 4 – 2896, with
Pelican case outer
ISTA 7D Winter
None -18°C At or Between
1°C to 10°C Over 120
Hours
ISTA 7D Winter
None -18°C At or Between
2°C to 8°C Over 120
Hours
ISTA 7D Summer
None -18°C At or Between
1°C to 10°C 111.67 Hours
ISTA 7D Summer
None -18°C At or Between
2°C to 8°C 106.33 Hours
Table 1: Results summary for the Series 4 – 2896, with Pelican case outer, Shipping System
6.0 Background The Series 4 – 2896, with Pelican case outer, Shipping System has a payload volume of approximately 28 liters (12” x 12” x 12”) and a tare weight of approximately 53.8 lbs. The container consists of a TIC with integrated PCM, a 1” VIP assembly and a PelicanTM brand series 0340 hard plastic outer container. The TIC system consists of six matching panels with beveled edges. The VIP assembly is made up of six panels that are encapsulated and assembled into a base with a lid. The outer dimensions of the container are 21.0” x 21.0” x 19.25” (see appendix [b] and [c] for configuration illustrations).
7.0 Materials and Equipment Used Below is a list of equipment that was used to test the thermal performance of the Series 4 – 2896 with Pelican case outer.
7.1 Equipment List
• Calibrated ESPEC ESZ-4CA Programmable Environmental Chamber • Chest Freezer Model No. GLFC2528FW1 • Series 4 – 2896, with Pelican case outer • NIST Traceable Global Sensors calibrated LogTag Data Loggers • Non-Insulating Dunnage • Canon Power Shot A3100 Digital Camera with Image Stabilizer
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7.2 Equipment Calibration
The LogTag temperature data loggers meet or exceeds the standards stated in ASTM D3103 and ISTA procedure 7D. The temperature data loggers have a temperature resolution of 0.1°C and a temperature accuracy of ±1°C over the test range. The environmental chamber temperature controller is also calibrated to a temperature accuracy of ±1°C over the chambers entire temperature range. See appendix [d] for a list of the calibrated equipment and appendix [f] for calibration certificates.
8.0 Test Plan outline Table 2 below outlines the test plan for the thermal testing of the Series 4 – 2896, with Pelican case outer.
Series 4 – 2896, with Pelican case outer Test Plan Outline
Shipper Test Run
# Test
Chamber Temperature
Profile Insulator
Type TIC
Conditioning Payload
Series 4 – 2896, with
Pelican case outer
1 ESZ-4CA ISTA 7D Summer
VIP -18.0°C None
2 ESZ-4CA ISTA 7D Winter
VIP -18.0°C None
Table 2: Testing and Preparation Conditions for Series 4 – 2896, with Pelican case outer
9.0 Procedures
9.1 TIC Conditioning
The Series 4 – 2896 TIC panels were removed from their insulator assembly and placed into a chest freezer set to -18°C for a minimum of 24 hours before each test run. The TIC systems were conditioned flat so as to not allow any air pockets to form. The PCM was solid after conditioning.
9.2 Probe placement
Two Global Sensors calibrated LogTag Data Loggers were used to record temperatures for each test. One probe was used for monitoring the interior of the container and one was used for monitoring the test ambient conditions. Temperature probe #1 was secured to non-insulating dunnage and placed in the center and on the bottom of the payload area. Temperature probe #2 was placed inside the environmental chamber
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record the test ambient conditions. See figure1 for an illustration of the probe placement.
Figure 1: Probe Placement Diagram
9.3 Payload
The main payload intended to be used in the shippers is blood for the 1° C to 10° C range and chilled medical supplies or pharmaceuticals for the 2° C to 8° C range. This test was conducted without the additional thermal mass of a payload therefore no payload conditioning was required.
9.4 Shipper Packout
The TICs were removed from the -18°C freezer after a minimum of 24 hours conditioning time. They were then given a staging time at room temperature (22°C ±3°C) for approximately 20 to 30 minutes. After the staging time the TIC base and four side panels were assembled inside the insulator assembly. Non insulating dunnage was placed in the center and on the bottom of the payload area space. Both temperature probes were then activated. Probe #1 was placed on top of the dunnage. The TIC lid was placed onto the rest of the TIC assembly and the VIP lid was set onto the insulator
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assembly. The Pelican case outer container was closed and secured with the six latches that are located on the edge of the lid. The shipper was loaded into the environmental chamber. Probe #2 was placed into the chamber to record external test ambient conditions. The Data Loggers were set up so that the temperature readings from each probe were recorded in 5 minute intervals. The environmental chamber was set to run the desired temperature profile and started.
9.5 Temperature Profiles
9.5.1 ISTA 7D Winter Temperature Profile
The 24 hour winter temperature profile was cycled over seven times without an excursion for either the 1°C to 10°C or the 2°C to 8°C temperature ranges. Table 3 below outlines the “ISTA Winter 24 hour cycled 7D shipping profile with cold shipping and cold receiving conditions.”
Step Number Temp (° C) Temp (°F) Duration (Hours) Total Time (Hours)
1 18.0 64.4 4 4 2 -10.0 14.0 2 6 3 10.0 50.0 12 18 4 -10.0 14.0 6 24
Table 3: ISTA 7D Winter 24 Hour cycled temperature profile
9.5.2 ISTA 7D Summer Temperature Profile
The 24 hour summer temperature profile was cycled four times before encountering a temperature excursion. Table 4 below outlines the “ISTA Summer 24 hour cycled 7D shipping profile with hot shipping and hot receiving conditions.”
Step Number Temp (° C) Temp (°F) Duration (Hours) Total Time (Hours)
1 22.0 71.6 4 4 2 35.0 95.0 2 6 3 30.0 86.0 12 18 4 35.0 95.0 6 24
Table 4: ISTA 7D Summer 24 Hour cycled temperature profile
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10.0 Results The test revealed that, without a payload, the Series 4 – 2896, with a Pelican case outer, was able to maintain internal payload area temperatures at or between 1°C and 10°C for 187.83 hours under ISTA 7D Winter conditions, and for 111.67 hours under ISTA 7D Summer Conditions. The shipper was able to maintain temperatures in the range of 2°C and 8°C for 187.83 hours under ISTA 7D Winter conditions and for 106.33 hours under ISTA 7D Summer conditions. Note that the ISTA Winter Test was stopped at 187.83 hours. There were no excursions outside the designated temperature ranges before the test was stopped in the ISTA Winter Profile. The performance results are summarized in Table 5 below referencing the first probe to have an excursion outside the required 2°C and 8°C range and 1°C and 10°C range. See appendix [e] for thermal performance graphs of the shipper.
Series 4 – 2896, with Pelican case outer, ISTA Summer and Winter Thermal Performance
Shipper Test Profile Payload Lowest Temp.
Temp. at 96 Hours
2°C to 8°C In-Spec.
Time
1°C to 10°C In-Spec.
Time
Seri
es 4
– 2
89
6 ISTA 7D Winter
None 3.7°C 4.3°C 187.83 Hours
187.83 Hours
ISTA 7D Summer
None 1.9°C 6.3°C 106.33 Hours
111.67 Hours
Table 5: Thermal Performance for Series 4 – 2896, with Pelican case outer
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11.0 Equipment/Setup Pictures
Figure 2: ESPEC ESZ-4CA Figure 3: LogTag Temperature Data Logger
Figure 4: -18°C Chest Freezer Figure 5: Series 4 – 2896, with Pelican case outer
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12.0 Appendix
a. Series 4 - 2896, with Pelican case outer, shipper configuration
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b. Series 4 - 2896, with Pelican case outer, shipper configuration and dimensions
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c. Series 4 - 2896 TIC Panels (12x12)
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d. Test/Reference Instrument List NOTE: Make additional copies as needed Page __1___ of ___1__
Instrument Name
Mfg., Model No. Serial No. Use Cal. Date Cal. Due
Date
Cal. Cert. Attached?
(Y/N)
ESPEC ESZ-4CA Environmental
Chamber
Mfg: ESPEC North America Inc.
Model #: ESZ-4CA
Serial #: 0110655
Thermal Testing of Shipper
08APR11 08APR12 Y
ESPEC ESZ-4CA1
Environmental Chamber
Mfg: ESPEC North America Inc.
Model #: ESZ-4CA
Serial #: 0110655
Thermal Testing of Shipper
02APR12 02APR13 Y
LogTag Temperature Data Logger
Mfg: Global Sensors
Model #: TRIX-8
Serial #: 1800020622
Recording Ambient
Test Conditions
01DEC11 01DEC12 Y
LogTag Temperature Data Logger
Mfg: Global Sensors
Model #: TRIX-8
Serial #: 1800020623
Recording Internal
Test Conditions
01DEC11 01DEC12 Y
LogTag Temperature Data Logger
Mfg: Global Sensors
Model #: TRIX-8
Serial #: 1800024548
Recording Ambient
Test Conditions
16MAR12 16MAR13 Y
LogTag Temperature Data Logger
Mfg: Global Sensors
Model #: TRIX-8
Serial #: 1800024549
Recording Internal
Test Conditions
16MAR12 16MAR13 Y
Mfg:
Model #:
Serial #:
1 The environmental chamber was recalibrated between the ISTA Summer and ISTA Winter tests. Both calibration
dates are listed and both certificates are located in appendix [f].
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e. Thermal Performance Graphs
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f. Equipment Certificates
Equipment Certifications