A thermographic approach to the heat flux measurement of insulated containers

The overall thermal transmittance of a small insulated container was measured according to the ATP (Agreement for Transport of Perishables foodstuffs) standard testing procedure. During the test a thermographic apparatus was used to map the temperature of the external walls of the container and to identify possible defects and thermal bridges. A heat flux meter was positioned on different surfaces of the container in order to assess the convective heat transfer coefficient in the different directions. The heat flux exchanged between the container and the environment calculated by IR thermography was compared with the results of the thermal transmittance value measured according to the ATP test. Finally, an IR camera was mounted on a pan-tilt head and automatically driven by a suitable software to map the temperature of the inner walls of the insulated box on a refrigerated vehicle.