SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CRYOGENIC THERMAL CONDITIONING OF COLD CHAIN PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL PANELS

Abstract

A spiral conveyor cryogenic freezer for thermal conditioning of cold chain phase change material panels and associated method of expedited ready-for-use thermal conditioning of thermally-spent cold chain phase change material panels. A two-stage inline system for thermal conditioning of cold chain phase change material panels that includes the spiral conveyor cryogenic freezer and a spiral conveyor thermal tempering unit and associated method of expedited ready-for-use thermal conditioning of thermally-spent cold chain phase change material panels. A redundant two-stage inline system for thermal conditioning of cold chain phase change material panels that includes a pair of units each capable of independently cryogenically freezing and thermal tempering of cold chain phase change material panels and associated method of expedited ready-for-use thermal conditioning of thermally-spent cold chain phase change material panels.

Description

BACKGROUND

Thermal conditioning of phase change material panels (PCM panels) used in cold chain shipment of thermally labile payloads from a thermally spent condition to a thermally ready-to-use condition (i.e., frozen and thermally tempered to a temperature within the acceptable temperature range for the particular payload when the container is expected to experience external temperatures during shipment above the acceptable temperature range, and thawed and thermally tempered to a temperature within the acceptable temperature range for the particular payload when the container is expected to experience external temperatures during shipment below the acceptable temperature range) is a time consuming process that typically requires a day or more. This places a significant burden upon cold chain shippers who need to provide several days advance notice when they require a cold chain shipping container.

Hence, a significant need exists for a system and process that permits expedited thermal conditioning of thermally-spent phase change material panels into ready-to-use thermally tempered panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of one embodiment of the cryogenic freezer aspect of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of one embodiment of the two-stage inline cryogenic thermal conditioning system aspect of the invention.

FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of the first stage portion of the two-stage inline cryogenic thermal conditioning system depicted in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of the second stage portion of the two-stage inline cryogenic thermal conditioning system depicted in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram for exemplary temperature settings for the first and second thermal conditioning chambers to thermally condition phase change material panels containing different phase change materials for use in maintaining a cold chain shipping container at a temperature colder or warmer than anticipated environmental temperatures to be experienced by the container during shipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the invention is a cryogenic freezer for thermal conditioning of cold chain phase change material panels. A second aspect of the invention is a two-stage inline system for thermal conditioning of cold chain phase change material panels. A third aspect of the invention is a redundant two-stage inline system for thermal conditioning of cold chain phase change material panels. A fourth aspect of the invention is a method of expedited ready-for-use thermal conditioning of thermally-spent cold chain phase change material panels.

A particular embodiment of a cryogenic freezer in accordance with the first aspect of the invention includes an enclosure defining a thermal conditioning chamber, a driven conveyor system, two sets of spray nozzles for injecting a controlled quantity of a cryogenic fluid into the thermal conditioning chamber, and a controller for independently controlling the amount of cryogenic fluid sprayed through each of the first and second sets of spray nozzles.

The driven conveyor system is operable for continuously transporting phase change material panels through the thermal conditioning chamber and includes (1) an upstream platform length external to the thermal conditioning chamber for carrying thermally spent phase change material panels into the thermal conditioning chamber, (2) an intermediate platform length in the thermal conditioning chamber for providing a dwell time operable for transitioning thermally spent phase change material panels carried by the upstream length into the thermal conditioning chamber to deep frozen phase change material panels, and (3) a downstream platform length external to the thermal conditioning chamber for transporting deep frozen phase change material panels out from the thermal conditioning chamber.

The first set of the spray nozzles is one or more nozzles spatially configured and arranged relative to the intermediate platform length for emitting a flow of cryogenic fluid for direct contact with select phase change material panels carried on the intermediate platform length to expedite thermal conditioning of the select phase change material panels. The second set of spray nozzles is one or more nozzles spatially configured and arranged relative to the intermediate platform length for emitting a flow of cryogenic fluid into the thermal conditioning chamber for distribution throughout the thermal conditioning chamber for controlling the environmental temperature within the thermal conditioning chamber so as to holistically thermally condition a supply of phase change material panels carried on the intermediate platform length.

The controller is operable for independently controlling spray of cryogenic fluid through each of the first and second nozzles.

A particular embodiment of a two-stage inline system for thermal conditioning of cold chain phase change material panels in accordance with the second aspect of the invention includes first and second enclosures each defining a thermal conditioning chamber, first and second temperature control systems for controlling the temperature within the first and second thermal conditioning chambers respectively, and a driven conveyor system.

The first and second temperature control system each include (i) spray nozzles for introducing a cryogenic fluid from a source of cryogenic fluid into the thermal conditioning chamber, and (ii) a controller for controlling the quantity of cryogenic fluid sprayed into the thermal conditioning chamber to achieve and maintain a desired temperature within the thermal conditioning chamber.

The driven conveyor system is configured and arranged for continuously transporting phase change material panels from a conveyor loading position through the first and second enclosures and then to a conveyor unloading position.

A second embodiment of a two-stage inline system for thermal conditioning of cold chain phase change material panels in accordance with the second aspect of the invention includes first and second enclosures each defining a thermal conditioning chamber, first and second temperature control systems for controlling the temperature within the first and second thermal conditioning chambers respectively, and a driven conveyor system.

The first temperature control system includes (i) spray nozzles for introducing a cryogenic fluid from a source of cryogenic fluid into the first thermal conditioning chamber, and (ii) a controller for controlling the quantity of cryogenic fluid sprayed into the first thermal conditioning chamber to achieve and maintain a desired temperature within the thermal conditioning chamber.

The second temperature control system includes (i) a heat source for introducing heat into the second thermal conditioning chamber, and (ii) a controller for controlling the introduction of heat into the second thermal conditioning chamber to achieve and maintain a desired temperature within the second thermal conditioning chamber.

The driven conveyor system is configured and arranged for selectively and continuously transporting phase change material panels from a conveyor loading position to a selected conveyor unloading position along one of three available paths selected from (i) a primary path through both the first and second enclosures to a primary conveyor unloading position, (ii) a secondary path through only the first thermal conditioning chamber to a secondary conveyor unloading position, and (iii) a tertiary path through only the second thermal conditioning chamber to a tertiary conveyor unloading position. The driven conveyor system includes (1) an upstream platform length external to the first and second thermal conditioning chambers for carrying phase change material panels in need of thermal conditioning from the conveyor loading position along one of the three paths, (2) a first intermediate platform length in the first thermal conditioning chamber for providing a dwell time operable for thermally transitioning the phase change material within phase change material panels carried by the upstream length into the first thermal conditioning chamber from a first thermal state to a second thermal state, (3) a second intermediate platform length in the second thermal conditioning chamber for providing a dwell time operable for thermally transitioning the phase change material within phase change material panels carried by the driven conveyor system into the second thermal conditioning chamber from a first thermal state to a second thermal state, (4) a first diversion platform length external to the first and second thermal conditioning chambers for transporting phase change material panels exiting the first thermal conditioning chamber to a secondary conveyor unloading position, and (5) a second diversion platform length external to the first and second thermal conditioning chamber for transporting phase change material panels from the conveyor loading position into the second thermal conditioning chamber with bypass of the first thermal conditioning chamber.

A particular embodiment of a redundant two-stage inline system for thermal conditioning of cold chain phase change material panels in accordance with the third aspect of the invention includes first and second enclosures each defining a thermal conditioning chamber, first and second temperature control systems for controlling the temperature within the first and second thermal conditioning chambers respectively, and a driven conveyor system.

The first and second temperature control systems each include (1) spray nozzles for introducing a cryogenic fluid from a source of cryogenic fluid into the thermal conditioning chamber, (2) a heat source for introducing heat into the thermal conditioning chamber, and (3) a controller for controlling the quantity of cryogenic fluid sprayed into the thermal conditioning chamber and controlling the introduction of heat into the thermal conditioning chamber to achieve and maintain a desired temperature within the thermal conditioning chamber.

The driven conveyor system transports phase change material panels from a conveyor loading position to a conveyor unloading position through the first and second enclosures.

A particular embodiment of the driven conveyor system is configured and arranged for continuously and selectively transporting phase change material panels from a conveyor loading position to a selected conveyor unloading position along one of three available paths selected from (i) a primary path through both the first and second enclosures to a primary conveyor unloading position, (ii) a secondary path through only the first thermal conditioning chamber to a secondary conveyor unloading position, and (iii) a tertiary path through only the second thermal conditioning chamber to a tertiary conveyor unloading position.

A particular embodiment of a method of expedited ready-for-use thermal conditioning of thermally-spent cold chain phase change material panels in accordance with the fourth aspect of the invention includes the steps of (i) conveying the thermally-spent cold chain phase change material panels into a first thermal conditioning chamber cooled by a spray of a cryogenic fluid into the first thermal conditioning chamber, (ii) maintaining the thermally-spent cold chain phase change material panels within the first thermal conditioning chamber for a dwell time sufficient to thermally transition the thermally-spent cold chain phase change material panels to deep-frozen phase change material panels, (iii) conveying the deep-frozen phase change material panels into a second thermal conditioning chamber warmed by a heat source, and (iv) maintaining the deep-frozen phase change material panels within the second thermal conditioning chamber for a dwell time sufficient to thermally transition the deep-frozen phase change material panels to thermally-tempered phase change material panels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Including a Preferred Embodiment

Definitions

As utilized herein, the phrase “deep-frozen” means frozen phase change material having a temperature more than 5° C. below the melt temperature of the phase change material. By analogy, the phrase “deep-frozen phase change material panels” means phase change material panels containing frozen phase change material having a temperature more than 5° C. below the melt temperature of the phase change material within the panel.

As utilized herein, the phrase “thermally tempered” means (1) as to phase change material for use in maintaining a payload chamber below anticipated environmentally experienced temperatures, frozen phase change material having a temperature no more than 5° C. below the melt temperature of the phase change material, and (2) as to phase change material for use in maintaining a payload chamber above anticipated environmentally experienced temperatures, liquid phase change material having a temperature no more than 5° C. above the freeze temperature of the phase change material. By analogy, the phrase “thermally tempered phase change material panels” means phase change material panels containing frozen phase change material having a temperature no more than 5° C. below the melt temperature of the phase change material within the panel, or phase change material panels containing liquid phase change material having a temperature no more than 5° C. above the freeze temperature of the phase change material within the panel.

As utilized herein, the phrase “thermally spent”, when used in connection with a cold chain phase change material panel, means an appreciable or complete phase change from a solid to a liquid when cooling is desired or from a liquid to a solid when warming is desired.

Nomenclature Table
REF. NO. DESCRIPTION
10       Cryogenic Freezer
100      Enclosure
109      Thermal Conditioning Chamber
110      Temperature Control System
112      Cryogen Spray Nozzles
1121     First Direct Contact Cryogen Spray Nozzles
1122     Second Environmental Cryogen Spray Nozzles
116      Controller for Temperature Control System
120      Conveyor
120a     Upstream Platform Length
120b     Intermediate Platform Length
120c     Downstream Platform Length
200n     Two-Stage Inline Thermal Conditioning System
2001     First Stage (Enclosure)
2002     Second Stage (Enclosure)
209n     nth Thermal Conditioning Chamber
2091     First Thermal Conditioning Chamber
2092     Second Thermal Conditioning Chamber
210n     Temperature Control System n
2101     Temperature Control System for First
         Thermal Conditioning Chamber
2121     Cryogen Spray Nozzles in First Thermal
         Conditioning Chamber
2141     Heat Source in Thermal Communication with
         First Thermal Conditioning Chamber
2161     Controller for Temperature Control System for
         First Thermal Conditioning Chamber
2102     Temperature Control System for First
         Thermal Conditioning Chamber
2122     Cryogen Spray Nozzles in Second
         Thermal Conditioning Chamber
2142     Heat Source in Thermal Communication with
         Second Thermal Conditioning Chamber
2162     Controller for Temperature Control System for
         Second Thermal Conditioning Chamber
220      Conveyor
220a     Upstream Platform Length
220bn    nth Intermediate Platform Length
220b1    First Intermediate Platform Length
220b2    Second Intermediate Platform Length
220c     Final Downstream Platform Length
220dn    nth Diversion Platform Length
220d1    First Diversion Platform Length
220d2    Second Diversion Platform Length
230a     Conveyor Loading Position
230bn    Conveyor Unloading Position n
230b1    Primary Conveyor Unloading Position
230b2    Secondary Conveyor Unloading Position
230b3    Tertiary Conveyor Unloading Position
300      Cold Chain Phase Change Material Panels
3000     Cold Chain Phase Change Material Panels in Need
         of Thermal Conditioning such as Thermally Spent
         Phase Change Material Panels
3001     Deep-Frozen Cold Chain Phase Change Material Panels
3002     Thermally Tempered Cold Chain Phase
         Change Material Panels

Referring to FIG. 1, a first aspect of the invention is a cryogenic freezer 10 for thermal conditioning of cold chain phase change material panels 300. A preferred cryogen is liquid nitrogen (LN₂).

Referring to FIG. 1, the cryogenic freezer 10 includes an enclosure 100 defining a thermal conditioning chamber 109 and a conveyor 120 having (i) an upstream platform length 120a for feeding phase change material panels 300 into the thermal conditioning chamber 109, (ii) an intermediate platform length 120b for providing a dwell time operable for transitioning thermally spent phase change material panels 3000 carried by the upstream length 120a into the thermal conditioning chamber 109 to deep frozen phase change material panels 3002, and (iii) a downstream platform length 120c for conveying deep frozen phase change material panels 3002 out from the thermal conditioning chamber 109.

The intermediate platform length 120b is preferably a spiral conveyor 120, such as depicted in FIG. 1, as they reduce capital cost and square-footage footprint requirements for the enclosure 100.

The LN₂ can be sprayed into the thermal conditioning chamber 109 defined by an enclosure 100 using spray nozzles 112 distributed throughout the thermal conditioning chamber 109 and connected to a supply of LN₂ (not shown) via a manifold (not shown) with at least two branches (not shown). The manifold includes two valved branches, with each valve controlled by a temperature control system 110. The first branch is controlled by a first valve (not shown) in fluid communication with a first set of one or more spray nozzles 1121 that spray LN₂ directly onto the PCM panels 300 on the conveyor 120 (“direct injection”) and a second branch controlled by a second valve (not shown) in fluid communication with a second set of one or more spray nozzles 1122 that spray LN₂ into the holistic environment of the thermal conditioning chamber 109 (e.g., sprays LN₂ into the airstream of one or more fans (not shown) positioned on the perimeter of the thermal conditioning chamber 109 to provide cyclonic airflow within the environment) (“indirect injection”). Ideally, these fans are configured and arranged to provide a cyclonic airflow within the environment that flow counter to the direction of conveyance to maximize convective heat transfer on the PCM panels 300.

A controller 116, such as a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller, controls the amount of LN₂ injected into the thermal conditioning chamber 109 to control the environment temperature within the thermal conditioning chamber 109 at a specific setpoint. To ensure proper thermal conditioning of each and every PCM panel 300 it is imperative that the directly injected LN₂ (i.e., the LN₂ sprayed directly into contact with the PCM panels 300 on the conveyor 120) operates at a constant injection rate, while the indirectly injected LN₂ (i.e., the LN₂ sprayed into the environment of the thermal conditioning chamber 109) operates at a variable injection rate as necessary to maintain the overall environmental temperature of the thermal conditioning chamber 109 at a previously established setpoint. The amount of directly injected LN₂ is selected below the total calculated heat load required to achieve and maintain the overall environmental temperature of the thermal conditioning chamber 109 at the previously established setpoint (e.g., 1%) to ensure that runaway low temperatures do not occur as is possible since the amount of LN₂ directly injected is constant and independent of the environmental temperature within the thermal conditioning chamber 109. This allows the temperature dependent indirect injection valve to control the environmental temperature within the thermal conditioning chamber 109.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 2A and 2B, a second aspect of the invention is a continuous flow multi-stage inline conveyance system 200_n for rapidly thermally conditioning phase change material panels (PCMs) 300 for use in passive temperature-controlled shipping solutions. The conveyance system 200_n includes (i) multiple stages or enclosures 200_n each defining a thermal conditioning chamber 209_n, (ii) a temperature control system 210 for separately controlling the temperature within each enclosure 200_n, and (iii) a conveyor 220 for transporting phase change material panels 300 through a selected set of the enclosures 200_n to a final unloading position 230b_n. When the multi-stage inline conveyance system 200_n is a two-stage system 200_n, the system 200_n conveys PCMs 300 through two separate enclosures 200₁ and 200₂ each having a thermal conditioning chamber 209₁ and 209₂ respectively, defining environments controlled at different temperature setpoints. A cryogenic fluid such as liquid nitrogen (LN₂) can be used to cool each environment to temperatures as low as −87° C. A modified version of the cryogenic freezer 10 of the first aspect of the invention is suitable for use as each of the enclosures 200₁ and 200₂.

The environments of each of the enclosures 200₁ and 200₂ can also be outfitted with heating elements 214₁ and 214₂ respectively, preferably elements capable of warming the environments up to +60° C. Controllers 216₁ and 216₂ can control both LN₂ injection and operation of the heating elements 214₁ and 214₂ on each of the enclosures 200₁ and 200₂ respectively, to attain and maintain a set environmental temperature within the respective thermal conditioning chambers 209₁ and 209₂.

The driven conveyor system 220 includes (i) an upstream platform length 220a external to a first of the thermal conditioning chambers 209₁ in sequence, for carrying phase change material panels 300₀ in need of thermal conditioning from the conveyor loading position 230a along one of several paths, (ii) intermediate platform lengths 220b_n, each providing a dwell time in one of the thermal conditioning chambers 209_n for thermally transitioning a phase change material panel 300, (iii) a final downstream platform length 220c for conveying fully thermally conditioned phase change material panels 300 out from the last of the thermal conditioning chambers 209_n in sequence, and optionally (iv) one or more diversion platform lengths 220d_n, each allowing diversion of thermally transitioned phase change material panels 300 exiting one of the thermally conditioning chambers 209_n from a primary path to a diversion path that bypasses one or more of the stages or enclosures 200_n.

When the multi-stage inline conveyance system 200_n is a two-stage system 200_n, the conveyor system 220_n includes (i) a first intermediate platform length 220b₁ in the first thermal conditioning chamber 209₁ for providing a dwell time operable for thermally transitioning the phase change material within phase change material panels 300 carried by the upstream length 220a into the first thermal conditioning chamber 209₁ from a first thermal state to a second thermal state, (ii) a second intermediate platform length 220b₂ in the second thermal conditioning chamber 209₂ for providing a dwell time operable for thermally transitioning the phase change material within phase change material panels 300 carried by the driven conveyor system 200_n into the second thermal conditioning chamber 209₂ from a first thermal state to a second thermal state and optionally (iii) diversion platform lengths 220d_n including one or both of (A) a first diversion platform length 220d₁ external to the first and second thermal conditioning chambers 209₁ and 209₂ for transporting phase change material panels 300 exiting the first thermal conditioning chamber 209₁ to a secondary conveyor unloading position 230b₂, and (B) a second diversion platform length 220d₂ external to the first and second thermal conditioning chambers 209₁ and 209₂ for transporting phase change material panels 300 from the conveyor loading position 230a directly into the second thermal conditioning chamber 209₂ with bypass of the first thermal conditioning chamber 209₁ to a tertiary conveyor unloading position 230b₃.

Spiral conveyors 220, such as depicted in FIGS. 2, 2A and 2B, are the preferred type of conveyor 220 as they reduce capital cost and square-footage footprint requirements for the system 200_n.

By equipping each stage 200_n (i.e., 200₁ and 200₂ for a two-stage system) of the system 200_n with a temperature control system 210_n (i.e., 210₁ and 210₂ for a two-stage system) that include both spray nozzles 212₁ and 212₂ for spraying a cryogenic fluid into the thermal conditioning chamber 209₁ and 209₂ respectively, and with heating elements 214₁ and 214₂ for warming the thermal conditioning chamber 209₁ and 209₂ respectively, the system 200_n becomes a redundant system 200_n whereby either of the stages 200₁ and 200₂ can be used for both deep freeze and thermal tempering of PCM panels 300 should one of the stages 200₁ and 200₂ suffer a mechanical failure. If, for example, the second unit 200₂ is unavailable, deep-frozen PCM panels 3001 exiting the first unit 200₁ may be diverted to a temperature-controlled storage (not shown). Upon batch completion of deep-frozen PCM panels 300₁, the deep-freeze environment of the first unit 200₁ can be converted into a thermal tempering environment and the stored deep-frozen PCM panels 300₁ run through the first unit 200₁ again to thermally transition the deep-frozen PCM panels 300₁ to thermally tempered ready-to-use PCM panels 300₂. This works mutatus mutandis when the first unit 200₁ is unavailable and the second unit 200₂ must be used for both thermal conditioning stages.

The two stage system 200_n is flexible for handling a variety of different temperature conditioning requirements, including specifically but not exclusively the following examples of PCMs with unique freeze points.

	COLD CHAIN	THERMAL
SERIES	CONTAINER	READY-TO-USE
DESIGNATION	USE	PARAMETERS
Series 20M	Frozen Control of Payload	Must be Completely Frozen
	and Payload Chamber	below −22° C.
Series 4	Refrigerated Control of	Must be Completely Frozen
	Payload and Payload	Below 5° C. But May Not
	Chamber Between .	Subject Payload to
	2°-8° C	Temperatures Below 2° C.
Series 22(s)	Summer (i Ambient	Must be Completely Frozen
	Temperature) Room	But May Not Subject
	Temperature Control of	Payload to Temperatures
	Payload and Payload	Below 15° C.
	Chamber Between
	15°-25° C.
Series 22(w)	Winter ( Ambient	Must be Completely Melted
	Temperature) Room	But May Not Subject
	Temperature Control of	Payload to Temperatures
	Payload and Payload	Above 25° C.
	Chamber Between
	15°-25° C.

FIG. 3 shows exemplary acceptable temperature settings for each of the two thermal conditioning stages (enclosures) 200₁ and 200₂ in the system 200_n to achieve phase change material panels 300 of each of the series set forth above in a ready-to-use thermal state.

Upon exit from the second stage unit 200₂, thermally tempered ready-to-use PCM panels 300₂ continue to an unloading position 230b₁ where they can be installed into position within a thermally insulated shipping container (not shown). Upon completion of the install the now passive thermally controlled shipping container is immediately ready to receive a thermally labile temperature-sensitive payload (not shown) such as blood, organs, or pharmaceuticals for shipment.

Many such thermally insulated shipping containers require multiple sizes of thermally conditioned PCM panels 300₂. The two stage system 200_n can properly thermally condition an intermingled set of differently sized PCM panels 300 whereby a full set of intermingled PCM panels 300 necessary to complete a given thermally insulated shipping container can be processed together.

Claims

1. A cryogenic freezer for thermal conditioning of cold chain phase change material panels, comprising: (a) an enclosure defining a thermal conditioning chamber,(b) a driven conveyor system for continuously transporting phase change material panels through the thermal conditioning chamber, the conveyor system including: (i) an upstream platform length external to the thermal conditioning chamber for carrying thermally spent phase change material panels into the thermal conditioning chamber,(ii) an intermediate platform length in the thermal conditioning chamber for providing a dwell time operable for transitioning thermally spent phase change material panels carried by the upstream length into the thermal conditioning chamber to deep frozen phase change material panels, and(iii) a downstream platform length external to the thermal conditioning chamber for transporting deep frozen phase change material panels out from the thermal conditioning chamber,(c) spray nozzles for introducing a controlled quantity of a cryogenic fluid from a source of cryogenic fluid into the thermal conditioning chamber, wherein the spray nozzles include: (i) one or more first nozzles spatially configured and arranged relative to the intermediate platform length for emitting a flow of cryogenic fluid for direct contact with select phase change material panels carried on the intermediate platform length to expedite thermal conditioning of the select phase change material panels, and(ii) one or more second nozzles spatially configured and arranged relative to the intermediate platform length for emitting a flow of cryogenic fluid into the thermal conditioning chamber for distribution throughout the thermal conditioning chamber for controlling the environmental temperature within the thermal conditioning chamber so as to holistically thermally condition a supply of phase change material panels carried on the intermediate platform length, and(d) a controller for independently controlling spray of cryogenic fluid through each of the first and second nozzles.

2. A two-stage inline system for thermal conditioning of cold chain phase change material panels containing a phase change material having a melt temperature, comprising: (a) a first enclosure defining a first thermal conditioning chamber,(b) a second enclosure defining a second thermal conditioning chamber,(c) a first temperature control system for controlling the temperature within the first thermal conditioning chamber, comprising: (i) spray nozzles for introducing a cryogenic fluid from a source of cryogenic fluid into the first thermal conditioning chamber, and(ii) a controller for controlling the quantity of cryogenic fluid sprayed into the first thermal conditioning chamber to achieve and maintain a desired temperature within the first thermal conditioning chamber,(d) a second temperature control system for controlling the temperature within the second thermal conditioning chamber, comprising: (i) a heat source for introducing heat into the second thermal conditioning chamber, and(ii) a controller for controlling the introduction of heat into the second thermal conditioning chamber to achieve and maintain a desired temperature within the second thermal conditioning chamber, and(e) a driven conveyor system for continuously transporting phase change material panels from a conveyor loading position through the first and second enclosures and then to a conveyor unloading position.

3. The two-stage inline system of claim 2 wherein the desired temperature within the first thermal conditioning chamber is a temperature effective for thermally conditioning phase change material panels conveyed through the first thermal conditioning chamber to deep-frozen phase change material panels.

4. The two-stage inline system of claim 2 wherein the desired temperature within the second thermal conditioning chamber is a temperature effective for thermally conditioning deep-frozen phase change material panels conveyed through the second thermal conditioning chamber to thermally tempered phase change material panels.

5. A two-stage inline system for thermal conditioning of cold chain phase change material panels containing a phase change material having a melt temperature, comprising: (a) a first enclosure defining a first thermal conditioning chamber,(b) a second enclosure defining a second thermal conditioning chamber,(c) a first temperature control system for controlling the temperature within the first thermal conditioning chamber, comprising: (i) spray nozzles for introducing a cryogenic fluid from a source of cryogenic fluid into the first thermal conditioning chamber, and(ii) a controller for controlling the quantity of cryogenic fluid sprayed into the first thermal conditioning chamber to achieve and maintain a desired temperature within the first thermal conditioning chamber,(d) a second temperature control system for controlling the temperature within the second thermal conditioning chamber, comprising: (i) a heat source for introducing heat into the second thermal conditioning chamber, and(ii) a controller for controlling the introduction of heat into the second thermal conditioning chamber to achieve and maintain a desired temperature within the second thermal conditioning chamber, and(e) a driven conveyor system for continuously transporting phase change material panels from a conveyor loading position to a selected conveyor unloading position along one of three paths selected from (i) a primary path through both the first and second enclosures to a primary conveyor unloading position, (ii) a secondary path through only the first thermal conditioning chamber to a secondary conveyor unloading position, and (iii) a tertiary path through only the second thermal conditioning chamber to a tertiary conveyor unloading position, the driven conveyor system including: (i) an upstream platform length external to the first and second thermal conditioning chambers for carrying phase change material panels in need of thermal conditioning from the conveyor loading position along one of the three paths,(ii) a first intermediate platform length in the first thermal conditioning chamber for providing a dwell time operable for thermally transitioning the phase change material within phase change material panels carried by the upstream length into the first thermal conditioning chamber from a first thermal state to a second thermal state,(iii) a second intermediate platform length in the second thermal conditioning chamber for providing a dwell time operable for thermally transitioning the phase change material within phase change material panels carried by the driven conveyor system into the second thermal conditioning chamber from a first thermal state to a second thermal state,(iv) a first diversion platform length external to the first and second thermal conditioning chambers for transporting phase change material panels exiting the first thermal conditioning chamber to a secondary conveyor unloading position, and(v) a second diversion platform length external to the first and second thermal conditioning chamber for transporting phase change material panels from the conveyor loading position into the second thermal conditioning chamber with bypass of the first thermal conditioning chamber.

6. A redundant two-stage inline system for thermal conditioning of cold chain phase change material panels containing a phase change material having a melt temperature, comprising: (a) a first enclosure defining a first thermal conditioning chamber,(b) a second enclosure defining a second thermal conditioning chamber,(c) a first temperature control system for controlling the temperature within the first thermal conditioning chamber, comprising: (i) spray nozzles for introducing a cryogenic fluid from a source of cryogenic fluid into the first thermal conditioning chamber,(ii) a heat source for introducing heat into the first thermal conditioning chamber, and(iii) a controller for controlling the quantity of cryogenic fluid sprayed into the first thermal conditioning chamber and controlling the introduction of heat into the first thermal conditioning chamber to achieve and maintain a desired temperature within the first thermal conditioning chamber,(d) a second temperature control system for controlling the temperature within the second thermal conditioning chamber, comprising: (i) spray nozzles for introducing a cryogenic fluid from a source of cryogenic fluid into the second thermal conditioning chamber,(ii) a heat source for introducing heat into the second thermal conditioning chamber, and(iii) a controller for controlling the quantity of cryogenic fluid sprayed into the second thermal conditioning chamber and controlling the introduction of heat into the second thermal conditioning chamber to achieve and maintain a desired temperature within the second thermal conditioning chamber,(e) a driven conveyor system for transporting phase change material panels from a conveyor loading position to a conveyor unloading position through the first and second enclosures.

7. The two-stage inline system of claim 6 wherein the driven conveyor system is operable for selectively and continuously transporting phase change material panels from the conveyor loading position to the selected conveyor unloading position along one of three available paths selected from (i) a primary path through both the first and second enclosures to a primary conveyor unloading position, (ii) a secondary path through only the first thermal conditioning chamber to a secondary conveyor unloading position, and (iii) a tertiary path through only the second thermal conditioning chamber to a tertiary conveyor unloading position.

8. The two-stage inline system of claim 6 wherein the desired temperature within each of the first and second thermal conditioning chambers can be independently established at (i) a temperature effective for thermally conditioning phase change material panels conveyed through the thermal conditioning chamber to deep-frozen phase change material panels, or (ii) a temperature effective for thermally conditioning deep-frozen phase change material panels conveyed through the thermal conditioning chamber to thermally tempered phase change material panels.

9. A method of expedited ready-for-use thermal conditioning of thermally-spent cold chain phase change material panels containing a phase change material having a melt temperature, comprising: (a) conveying the thermally-spent cold chain phase change material panels into a first thermal conditioning chamber cooled by a spray of a cryogenic fluid into the first thermal conditioning chamber,(b) maintaining the thermally-spent cold chain phase change material panels within the first thermal conditioning chamber for a dwell time sufficient to thermally transition the thermally-spent cold chain phase change material panels to deep-frozen phase change material panels,(c) conveying the deep-frozen phase change material panels into a second thermal conditioning chamber warmed by a heat source,(d) maintaining the deep-frozen phase change material panels within the second thermal conditioning chamber for a dwell time sufficient to thermally transition the deep-frozen phase change material panels to thermally-tempered phase change material panels.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the phase change material panels are continuously conveyed through both the first and second thermal conditioning chambers.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the phase change material panels are continuously conveyed through both the first and second thermal conditioning chambers at the same speed.