Work out cold chain ice requirement instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.
The refrigerant must absorb the sensible heat of cooling the product plus the heat leaking through the box over the transit. Water ice has a latent heat of 334 kJ/kg; gel packs are typically 10-15% lower. Product specific heat is around 3.6 kJ/kg.K for high-moisture foods and pharmaceuticals.
Heat load
Sensible heat = mass x specific heat x temperature drop; leak = watts x hours x 3.6 kJ
Refrigerant mass
Ice (kg) = total heat load (kJ) / 334
Cold chain shipping of vaccines, biologics and other temperature-sensitive products must be validated against regulatory requirements with continuous temperature monitoring.
Yes — 20-50% depending on route reliability and ambient extremes. Cold chain shipments should be validated with data loggers over the worst expected profile, not sized on calculation alone.
They can be formulated to phase-change at 0 C or at controlled temperatures such as 5 C or -20 C, and they do not produce free water. For products that must not freeze, a 5 C phase-change material is far safer than ice.