A panel containing phase change material (PCM) that is nontoxic & biodegradable. This single panel for the Cool Cube™ 28 provides advanced thermal protection for refrigerated product due to a 4.5°C/40.1°F melting point (temperature hold).
The Fridge Temps PCM Panel for Cool Cube™ 28 (CC-PCMP-BV28) is a reusable panel used to create a 2° to 8°C, 1° to 10°C, or 1° to 6°C environment within Cool Cube™ 28 models. This phase change material panel is used to manage refrigerator temperatures – ideal for fresh vaccine, medicine and blood products.
Outside: 13¼” x 13¼” x 1”
Inside Edge: 12” x 12”
Weight: 3½ lbs.
About Refrigerator PCM (Phase Change Material)
PCM absorbs and releases thermal energy during the process of melting and freezing. When solid PCM melts, it absorbs the heat from the environment, yet its temperature stays at the melting point until totally liquid. Conversely, when liquid PCM freezes, it absorbs the cold from the environment yet stays at its temperature until totally solid. Therefore, PCM an ideal, passive solution for a variety of applications that require temperature control. The most common PCM is water, which has a melting point of 0 °C (32 °F). When solid, ice/water maintains a temperature of 0 °C until it turns completely liquid. So, in essence, the 0 °C melting point makes it unsafe for most refrigerator temperature sensitive applications.
Cool Cube™ Refrigerator PCM has a melting point of 4.5 °C/40.1 °F. When the PCM is solid, a panel helps the Cool Cube ™stay cool (about 5 °C) in warm/hot environments. When the PCM is liquid, a panel helps the Cool Cube ™stay warm (about 4 °C) in freezing conditions. It’s right around that 4.5 °C/40.1 °F where a PCM panel’s temperature plateaus for a while during the warming up and/or cooling down processes.
Panel Prep
2.1 Lay panels flat in a freezer until all the PCM (phase change material inside the panel) turns solid. At -15°C/5°F the PCM will solidify in a couple hours.
2.2 Transfer panels into a fridge at least 3 hours before use. Panels may be stored in the fridge until needed for assembly or until the PCM melts.*
2.3 Shake panels to verify the PCM is solid. If there is liquid, restart at step 2.1 to ensure the longest hold time. Using liquid PCM or panels with a solid/liquid combination decreases the hold time.
Panel Prep
2.1 Lay panels flat in a refrigerator for a minimum of 24 hours before use.
2.2 Shake panels to check the state of the PCM (phase change material inside the panel).
In a refrigerator that maintains 4°C or below, the PCM will be solid (ideal for keeping product cold in warm/hot conditions). In a refrigerator that maintains 5°C or above, the PCM will be liquid. Although the PCM is liquid, the panel is at the temperature of the storage environment after 3 hours (i.e., stored in a 6°C fridge, the panels are at 6°C). Assembling the Cool Cube™ with liquid PCM panels (additional thermal mass) will help keep the product at its temperature, just for a shorter amount of time. Monitor Cool Cube™ temperature closely.
Panel Prep
2.1 Lay panels flat in a freezer until all the PCM (phase change material inside the panel) turns solid. At -15°C/5°F the PCM will solidify in a couple hours.
2.2 Transfer panels into a room temperature environment just before use to allow the PCM inside to rise to the appropriate operating temperature. Approximate times:
2.3 Wipe off condensate. After frost turns to condensate, the panel is above 0°C.
2.4 Shake panels to verify the PCM is solid. If a little liquid is heard, it is at 4.5°C. If there is a lot of liquid, restart at step 2.1 to ensure the longest hold time. Using liquid PCM or panels with a solid/liquid combination decreases the hold time.
Panel Prep
2.1 Place panels in a fridge between 5° and 8°C for at least 24 hours before use so the PCM (phase change material inside the panel) is liquid.*
2.2 Shake panels to verify the PCM is liquid. If solid, restart at step 2.1 to ensure the longest hold time. Liquid PCM will prevent the product from freezing (at refrigerator temps) in extreme cold the longest. Using solid PCM or panels with a solid/liquid combination decreases the hold time.
Panel Prep
2.1 Lay panels flat in a freezer until all the PCM (phase change material inside the panel) turns solid. At -15°C/5°F the PCM will solidify in a couple hours.
2.2 Transfer panels into a room temperature environment just before use to allow the PCM inside to rise to the optimal 1°C. Approximate times:
“03” size = 5 minutes
“08” size = 10 minutes
“28” size = 15 minutes
“96” size = 20 minutes
2.3 Wipe off condensate & shake.After frost turns to condensate, the panel is above 0°C. Shake panels to verify that the PCM is completely solid. If liquid is heard, re-freeze (Step 2.1) and proceed. Using liquid PCM decreases the hold time considerably.
After Step 3 (before pack-out), insert a thermometer and close to monitor when the Cool Cube™ gets to the 1°C mark. If below the 1°C mark, wait until it warms up to 1°C before packing out. To speed up the process, transfer panels into a room temperature environment for a couple of minutes and re-check. Pack-out at 1°C will ensure a maximum hold time between 1° and 6°C.
Phase change materials (PCMs) are materials that absorb and release thermal energy during the process of melting and freezing. When a PCM melts, it absorbs the heat from the environment, yet its temperature stays at the melting point until totally liquid. Conversely, when a PCM freezes, it absorbs the cold from the environment, yet stays at its temperature until totally solid. This makes PCM an ideal, passive solution for a variety of applications that require temperature control. The most common PCM is water/ice. Ice is an excellent PCM for maintaining temperatures at 0°C. But water’s freezing point is fixed at 0°C (32°F), which makes it unsuitable for most temperature sensitive applications.
Cool Cube™ PCMs offer custom temperature holds based on their melting point. The PCM inside Series 4 panels has a melting point of 4.5°C/40.1°F. When panels are solid, contents within the Cool Cube™ stay cool (at fridge temps around 4.5°C) in hot conditions during an extended period of time. When panels have liquid inside, contents within the Cool Cube™ won’t freeze (again at fridge temps around 4.5°C) in extreme cold during an extended period of time.
When the panels have reached 4.5°C and are completely solid, they are ready to hold your product. To verify that they are solid simply shake the panel. If you shake the panel and it feels and sounds slushy, with some liquid and some solid it will hold your product at a cool temperature, but it won’t hold it as long as if the panel is completely solid. If you shake the panel and it feels and sounds completely liquid, put the panel back into the freezer/refrigerator and continue to condition until the panel has reached a solid state.
Shake a panel at various times to get to know your panels. For example, shake the panels when you know they are warm to hear and feel how they react when they are liquid.
Within this webpage are several methods for conditioning your PCM panels. The standard conditioning method is performed in the refrigerator. The advantage of the refrigerator is that your panels won’t get too cold. This method can take from 8-24 hours. Alternatively, if you need to use your panels sooner than 8-24 hours, they can be conditioned in a freezer.
PCM panels can be frozen too cold, but there is an easy solution when this occurs. When the panels are frozen to a point below 0°C/32°F, a short staging period is necessary to safely transport your product. If your panels have been stored in the freezer simply take the panels out of the freezer and lay them, individually (unstacked), on a flat surface at room temperature for roughly 30 minutes.
Hold times of the PCM panels vary depending on Cool Cube™ size and desired holding temperature. For example, when properly packed-out into the Cool Cube™ 08, the Series 4 PCM panels can hold the cooler at a temperature below 8°C and above 2°C for 76 hours.
With all pack-out procedures, be sure to use a temperature monitoring device to consistently and accurately monitor the temperature your payload for the entire time it is held in the Cool Cube™. Some regulatory bodies such as the CDC require the use of a certified data logger. VeriCor carries several types of thermometers and digital data loggers that meet the CDC recommended guidelines.
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The time varies between prep methods:
In the user guide we recommend Method A, although all methods work. Choose the method that works best with your schedule.
If you store the PCM panels in your refrigerator they will be available to use whenever you need them. Shake the panels to see if they are solid. If they are slushy your refrigerator is too warm. If the panels are slushy they will still work, but the hold times will be decreased.
Prep Method A:
Yes. The panels can be stored in a refrigerator for as long as you wish. If stored in the refrigerator they will be ready for use whenever you need them.
Make sure to shake the panels to see if they are solid. If they are not solid your refrigerator is not cold enough. If the panels are still slushy they will still work, but they will not hold product for the optimum time frame.
Yes, replacement Cool Cube PCM panels are available for purchase. If you need to replace any PCM panels, you can order them individually from our Cool Cube Components page. The panels are available for all temperature ranges, including:
If you’re unsure which panels you need or have any questions, feel free to call us at 608.526.6901, and our team will be happy to assist you in finding the right replacement parts.
If any part of your Cool Cube gets damaged, don’t worry—all components, including PCM panels, Temp-Shield™ Insulation System (vacuum insulation panels), and other accessories, are available for individual purchase on our website. You can browse and order replacement parts directly from our Cool Cube Components page. This allows you to replace just the part you need without having to buy a whole new system.
If you’re not sure which part you need or have any questions, feel free to give us a call at 608.526.6901. Our customer service team is available to assist you and ensure you get the correct replacement part. We’re here to help with any concerns or issues you may have.
A PCM panel in the Cool Cube is a key component that uses Phase Change Material (PCM) to help regulate the temperature inside the unit. These panels are designed to maintain specific temperature ranges crucial for protecting temperature-sensitive items like vaccines, medicines, and biological samples.
Each PCM panel contains a material that melts and solidifies at precise temperatures. As the surrounding temperature increases, the PCM inside the panel absorbs the heat and melts, stabilizing the environment. When the temperature decreases, the PCM solidifies and releases the stored heat, preventing the interior from cooling too rapidly.
In the Cool Cube, there are different types of PCM panels, each indicated by a color-coded tab, designed to maintain different temperature ranges:
Each Cool Cube comes with 6 PCM panels that make up the PCM System.
PCM, or Phase Change Material, is a type of substance that can store and release large amounts of thermal energy as it changes from one state of matter to another, specifically between solid and liquid phases. This ability to absorb and release heat during its phase transitions makes PCM useful for controlling temperatures.
Here’s how it works: When a material melts (changes from a solid to a liquid), it absorbs heat from its surroundings, which cools down the environment around it. When the material freezes (changes from liquid back to solid), it releases the heat it had absorbed, warming up the environment.
What makes PCM special is that it is engineered to melt and freeze at very specific temperatures, depending on its formulation. For example, some PCM might be designed to melt at a relatively low temperature, like 5°C, while others might melt at higher temperatures. This allows PCM to be used for different applications, like keeping things cool or warm without the need for constant external energy, such as refrigeration.
Because PCM changes phases so efficiently, it can absorb or release a lot of heat without changing its own temperature much during the process. This makes it an excellent tool for maintaining stable temperatures over time, which is critical for safely transporting temperature-sensitive products like vaccines, medicines, and biological samples.
If the panels must be stacked we recommend inserting a spacer (pencil, tongue depressor, etc.) between each panel.
If your Cool Cube case gets dirty, the cleaning method will depend on the model you have:
If you have any questions about cleaning your Cool Cube, feel free to contact us at 608.526.6901, and we’ll be happy to help.
The Cool Cube panels are identified by both the label and tab colors:
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