Temperature data logger

Example of a small temperature data logger

A temperature data logger, also called temperature monitor, is a portable measurement instrument that is capable of autonomously recording temperature over a defined period of time. The digital data can be retrieved, viewed and evaluated after it has been recorded. A data logger is commonly used to monitor shipments in a cold chain and to gather temperature data from diverse field conditions.

Construction

A variety of constructions are available. Most have an internal thermistor or thermocouple or can be connected to external sources. Sampling and measurement are periodically taken and digitally stored. Some have a built in display of data or out-of-tolerance warnings. Data retrieval can be by cable, RFID, wireless systems, etc. They generally are small, battery powered, portable, and equipped with a microprocessor, internal memory for data storage, and sensors. Some data loggers interface with personal computers or smart phones for set-up, control, and analysis.

Some include other sensors such as relative humidity, wind, light, etc. Others may record input from GPS devices.

Depending on the use, governing quality management systems sometimes require calibration to national standards and compliance with formal verification and validation protocols^[1]

Choices of temperature data loggers can be based on many factors, such as:

Cost
Reusability
Battery life
Ease of use; set-up, readability, download data, analysis, etc.
Temperature range
Accuracy and precision - degree of agreement of recorded temperature with actual
Response time – the time required to measure 63.2% of the total difference between its initial and final temperature when subjected to a step function change in temperature; other points such as 90% are also used.^[2]
shock and vibration resistance
Water resistance – humidity, condensation, etc.
Size, weight, mounting
Certifications, calibrations, etc.
Software

Uses

Environmental monitoring

Autonomous data loggers can be taken to diverse locations that cannot easily support fixed temperature monitoring equipment.^[3] These might include: mountains, deserts, jungles, mines, ice flows, etc. Portable data loggers are also used in industry and laboratory situations where stand-alone recording is desired.

Monitor shipments

Temperature sensitive products such as foods,^[4] pharmaceuticals,^[5] and some chemicals are often monitored during shipment and logistics operations. Exposure to temperatures outside of an acceptable range, for a critical time period, can degrade the product or shorten shelf life. Regulations and contracts make temperature monitoring mandatory for some products.

Data loggers are often small enough to be placed inside an insulated shipping container or directly attached to a product inside a refrigerator truck or a refrigerated container. These monitor the temperature of the product being shipped. Some data loggers are placed on the outside of the package or in the truck or intermodal container to monitor the air temperature. Placement of data loggers and sensors is critical: Studies have shown that temperatures inside a truck or intermodal container are strongly affected by proximity to exterior walls and roof and to locations on the lading.^[6]^[7]

Modern digital data loggers are very portable and record the actual times and temperatures. This information can be used to model product degradation and to pinpoint the location and cause of excessive exposure.

The measured data reveals whether the goods in transit have been subjected to potentially damaging temperature extremes or an excessive Mean kinetic temperature. Based on this data, the options may be:

If there have not been out of tolerance temperatures for critical times, continue to use the shipment, without special inspection
If potentially damaging temperature hazards have occurred, thoroughly inspect the shipment for damage or degradation. Possibly accelerate sale and use because of reduced shelf life.^[8]
The consignee may negotiate with the carrier or shipper or even choose to reject a shipment where sensors indicate severe temperature history
The time of the temperature extreme, or GPS tracking, may be able to determine the location of the infraction to direct appropriate corrective action.

Multiple replicate shipments of data loggers are also used to compare modes of shipment (routes, vendors) and to develop composite data to be used in package testing protocols.^[9]

References

↑ Bull, K (Winter 2008), Thermistors and Thermocouples: Matching the Tool to the Task in Thermal Validation (PDF), Journal of Validation Technology, retrieved 22 March 2012
↑
↑ Whiteman, C. D., J. M. Hubbe, W. J. Shaw, 2000: Evaluation of an Inexpensive Temperature Datalogger for Meteorological Applications. J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol., 17, 77–81.
↑ Raab, Verana (2011), Temperature Monitoring in Meat Supply Chains 113 (10), British Food Journal, pp. 1267–1289, retrieved 22 March 2012
↑ Wessel, Rhea (July 27, 2011), DB Schenker Uses Terperature-logging Tags to Monitor Drug Shipments, RFID Journal, retrieved 22 March 2012
↑ Schafer, Howard (1978), Temperature profiles of rail transported ondnance, Naval Weapons Center, technical publication, vol 4917
↑ Goedecke, Thomas (2008), Temperature and Air Change Rates in Freight Containers During Transit (PDF), International Safe Transit Association, retrieved 29 March 2012
↑ Meyers, T (June 2007). "RFID Shelf-life Monitoring Helps Resolve Disputes". RFID Journal.
↑ Young, D (2002), ISTA Temperature Project – Data Smmary (PDF), ISTA, retrieved 22 March 2012

Books, General References

ASTM D3103, Standard Test Method for Thermal Insulation Performance of Packages
McMillan, Gregory K, "Advanced Temperature Measurement and Control", 2010, ISA
ISTA Guide 5B: Focused Simulation Guide for Thermal Performance Testing of Temperature Controlled Transport Packaging,
Lockhart, H., and Paine, F.A., "Packaging of Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare Products", 2006, Blackie, ISBN 0751401676
Yam, K. L., "Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology", John Wiley & Sons, 2009, ISBN 978-0-470-08704-6

Packaging

General topics	Active packaging Child-resistant packaging Disposable food packaging Food packaging Luxury packaging Modified atmosphere/modified humidity packaging Package pilferage Package testing Packaging engineering Pharmaceutical packaging Reusable packaging Shelf life Sustainable packaging Tamper-evident Tamper resistance Wrap rage

Containers	Aerosol spray Aluminium bottle Aluminum can Ampoule Antistatic bag Bag-in-box Bags and flexible containers Barrel Biodegradable bag Blister pack Bottle Box Bulk box Carboy Carton Chub Clamshell Corrugated box design Crate Drum Envelope Flexible intermediate bulk container Foam food container Folding carton Insulated shipping container Intermediate bulk container Jar Jerrycan Jug Juicebox Keg Matryoshka doll Multi-pack Oyster pail Packet (container) Padded mailer Pail Paper bag Paper sack Plastic bag Plastic bottle Popcorn bag Retort pouch Sachet Security bag Self-heating can Self-heating food packaging Shaker-style pantry box Shipping container Skin pack Spray bottle Tin can Tube Unit load Vial Wooden box

Materials and components	Adhesive Aluminium foil Bioplastic Biodegradable plastic BoPET Bubble wrap Bung Cellophane Closure Coated paper Coating Corrugated fiberboard Corrugated plastic Cushioning Desiccant Double seam Foam peanut Glass Hot-melt adhesive Kraft paper Label Linear low-density polyethylene Liquid packaging board Low-density polyethylene Metallised film Modified atmosphere Molded pulp Nonwoven fabric Overwrap Oxygen scavenger Packaging gas Pallet Paper Paper pallet Paperboard Plastic film Plastic pallet Plastic wrap Polyester Polyethylene Polypropylene Pressure-sensitive tape Screw cap Screw cap (wine) Security printing Security seal Shock detector Shock and vibration data logger Shrink wrap Slip sheet Staple (fastener) Strapping Stretch wrap Susceptor Tear tape Temperature data logger Time temperature indicator Tinplate Velostat

Processes	Aseptic processing Authentication Automatic identification and data capture Blow fill seal Blow molding Calendering Canning Coating Containerization Curtain Coating Die cutting Electronic article surveillance Extrusion Extrusion coating Graphic design HACCP Hermetic seal Induction sealing Injection molding Laminating Laser cutting Molding Papermaking Plastic welding Plastics extrusion Printing Quality assurance Radio-frequency identification Roll slitting Shearing (manufacturing) Track and trace Vacuum forming Ultrasonic welding Vacuum packaging Verification and validation

Machinery	Barcode printer Barcode reader Bottling line Calender Can seamer Cartoning machine Case sealer Check weigher Conveyor system Extended core stretch wrapper Filler Heat gun Heat sealer Industrial robot Injection molding machine Label printer applicator Lineshaft roller conveyor Logistics automation Material handling equipment Mechanical brake stretch wrapper Multihead weigher Orbital stretch wrapping Palletizer Rotary wheel blow molding systems Shrink tunnel Staple gun Tape dispenser Turntable stretch wrapper Vertical form fill sealing machine

Environment, post-use	Biodegradation Environmental engineering Glass recycling Industrial ecology Life-cycle assessment Litter Paper recycling Plastic recycling Recycling Reusable packaging Reverse logistics Source reduction Sustainable packaging Waste management

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