Thermo King Magnum Plus MP4000

Thermo King Magnum Plus MP4000 is a state-of-the-art, fully electric, single-unit refrigeration unit for maritime shipping containers, often referred to as a “reefer”. The unit is designed for global intermodal transport (maritime, rail and road transport) and serves to precisely regulate the temperature inside the container, where it keeps temperature-sensitive goods in optimal condition from the point of loading to the point of delivery.

A key element of the unit is the modern microprocessor control unit MP4000, which ensures high precision, reliability, efficiency and ease of operation. Magnum Plus MP4000 is the result of long-term development and experience, combining proven technologies with innovations such as intelligent atmosphere management (AFAM+), robust telematics for remote monitoring (RMM+) and the use of environmentally friendly refrigerant meeting future legislative requirements (R-452A).

It serves as a crucial link in the global cooling chain – “cold chain” – and enables safe transport of food, pharmaceuticals, electronics and other sensitive commodities.

Basic Functions and Uses

Purpose of the Unit

Magnum Plus MP4000 creates and maintains a controlled thermal environment inside a standardized shipping container. It protects cargo from external climate fluctuations and maintains its quality throughout the transport.

Areas of Use

• Maritime transport: Robust aluminum construction with anti-corrosion treatment, mounted on the front wall of the container, integrated pockets for easy handling with a forklift.
• Road and rail transport: Reliability under vibrations and environmental changes, simple installation and removal.

Types of Transported Goods

• Deeply frozen products: Fish, seafood, ice cream, biomedical samples (temperature down to −40°C).
• Standard frozen food: Meat, poultry, frozen vegetables (−18°C to −20°C).
• Chilled fruit and vegetables: Precise temperature maintenance above freezing point, limiting dehydration and spoilage.
• Pharmaceuticals: Vaccines, biological materials, medicines (typically +2°C to +8°C).
• Special goods: Electronics, chemical additives, materials sensitive to temperature and humidity.

Key Technical Characteristics

Extreme Temperature Range and Performance

• Operating temperatures: −40 °C to +40 °C (some versions up to +50 °C ambient temperature).
• Deep freezing capability: The unit achieves and maintains −40 °C even at ambient temperatures up to +50 °C – unique in the market.
• Cooling capacity (at 21 °C inlet, 38 °C ambient, R-404A):
  • 56 700 BTU/h (16.6 kW) at 21.1 °C
  • 24 785 BTU/h (7.26 kW) at −17.8 °C
  • 14 000 BTU/h (4.10 kW) at −35 °C

Fast “Pull-down” (Temperature Pull-down)

• The speed at which the unit reduces the temperature inside the container to the desired value.
• Important for: preserving the quality of fresh products, extending shelf life, improving efficiency at ports and terminals.

Homogeneous Air Distribution

• Powerful fans and optimized airflow: Elimination of temperature “dead zones”, temperature is uniform throughout the container space.
• Air flow specifications:
  • Up to 6 560 m³/h (3 860 cfm) at high speeds (0 Pa resistance).

Energy Efficiency and Low Consumption

• Intelligent consumption management: Microprocessor optimizes compressor and fan operation.
• Measurable energy savings: Lower electricity or fuel costs, direct economic and environmental benefit.

MP4000 Control Unit – the Brain of the System

Main Functions

• Temperature regulation: Sensing multiple temperature points (inlet, outlet, evaporator) with accuracy up to ±0.25 °C.
• Diagnostics: Continuous monitoring of the status of all key components, generation and storage of alarm codes.
• Operating data recording: Archiving of temperatures, setting changes, alarms and air vent positions – key for audit, pharmaceutical and food standards.
• User interface: Digital display, LED indication, intuitive keyboard.
• Automatic pre-trip inspection (PTI): Fully automated test sequence, verification of functionality before container dispatch.

Smart PTI

• A breakthrough feature allowing diagnostics to be performed during normal operation (whether the container is empty or loaded) – speeds up handling and reduces downtime.

Advanced Technologies and Extended Capabilities

AFAM+ – Advanced Fresh Air Management

• Principle: Intelligent air exchange in the container based on CO₂ and O₂ measurement, automatic control of ventilation doors.
• Benefits: Slowing ripening and extending freshness of fruit and vegetables (bananas, avocados, asparagus, etc.), minimizing dehydration.
• AVL – Air Vent Logging: Recording of the history of vent flap positions for transport audit.

RMM+ – Telematics and Remote Monitoring

• Remote monitoring and management: Two-way communication with the fleet system – monitoring of temperature, unit status, alarms and the ability to remotely change settings.
• Improved safety and logistics: Immediate response to failures, operation optimization, possibility of preventive intervention.

Refrigerant R-452A – an Environmentally Responsible Choice

• Low GWP: Significantly lower global warming potential compared to traditional R-404A.
• Regulatory compliance: Meets current and future legislative requirements (e.g. F-Gas EU).
• Performance without loss: Maintains cooling capacity and reliability even when transitioning to more environmentally friendly refrigerant.

Energy Logger

• Real-time consumption measurement: Overview of energy intensity, possibility of optimization and carbon footprint tracking.

Construction and Key Components

Optional Accessories:

• Water-cooled condenser (for transport in ship holds).
• AFAM+ kit for controlled atmosphere.
• RMM+ telemetry modem.
• Kits for specialized pharmaceutical transport.

Maintenance, Documentation and Global Service

• Official manuals: Detailed operating instructions (TK 61110-4-OP), maintenance manual (TK 60275-4-MM-EN), available for download on the manufacturer’s website.
• Digital archiving: Manuals, revisions and updates always available online – key for quick support of technicians anywhere in the world.
• Worldwide service network: Non-stop support, original spare parts, training and certified technicians.

Glossary of Terms