How Trucks Work: The Three Major Parts of a Reefer Trailer

Contrary to what most people think, reefers aren’t designed to cool transported products. Instead, these trailers are made to maintain the temperature of the items inside them. They are solely designed to provide a controlled environment and prevent the inflow of heat, to maintain the items at a stable temperature. The three major parts of a reefer trailer make this possible.

Compressor

A reefer unit is equipped with a small gasoline engine driven compressor. This unit pressurizes and liquefies gaseous refrigerant so that when it vaporizes again in the evaporator, heat is absorbed, and the temperature drops dramatically. Air is vented around the chilled piping of the evaporator to cool the entire trailer, much in the manner that home refrigerators and air conditioners work.

Condenser

The condenser found in reefer units is a heat exchanger. The liquefied refrigerant flows into the compressor to allow the heat from within to dissipate into the latticework of tubing and cooling fins. Similar to the way a radiator cools an engine, the increased surface area allows more exposure to air blown by the condenser fan to cool the pipes and the refrigerant coursing through them.

Evaporator

Unlike the compressor and condenser, the evaporator is situated inside the trailer’s cargo area. The cool liquid refrigerant enters the evaporator through a metering valve. The amount that flows into this part is regulated to control the amount of cooling in the trailer. It is also one of the ways to maintain the backpressure in the high-pressure part of the system that runs from the compressor to the evaporator. The refrigerant expands inside the evaporator until it returns to a gaseous state. As it expands, it absorbs heat from its surroundings in an enthalpic process. A fan exchanges heat with the air of the trailer, thereby lowering the temperature of the entire chamber. Once the refrigerant gas is under low pressure, it is drawn back to the compressor, and the cycle starts again. Affordable and durable reefers make it possible for businesses to continue operations despite long distances, bad weather, or power loss. Get reefers from companies like Lyons Truck & Trailer Inc., where you can also find a quality used Peterbilt truck for hauling. With the help of these versatile trailers, transporting temperature-sensitive items will never be a problem.