A solar-powered vapor compression refrigeration system for vaccine storage

Authors

  • Sattra Sirikaew
  • Somjet Pattarapanitchai Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Silpkorn University
  • Sunisa Khakhu Solar Energy Research Laboratory, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom 73000, Thailand
  • Serm Janjai

Keywords:

Solar-powered vapor compression refrigeration system, Solar Cooling, Vaccine Storage, ARX Modeling, Economic Evaluation

Abstract

Herein, a solar-powered vapor compression refrigeration system for vaccine storage was proposed. The system comprises a 535-W photovoltaic module, a 60-A charge controller, a 200-Ah lead–acid battery, a 3,000-W inverter, and a 75-W commercial vapor compression refrigerator. The refrigerator is directly connected to the inverter. The experiments were conducted at Silpakorn University (13.82°N, 100.04°E), Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. It was found that the load temperature can be reduced from the ambient temperature of 26°C–28°C to 0°C within 18 h for small load (3.75-15.00L). Technically, the system performs well and can be used for vaccine storage. Also, the ARX modeling approach can be used to predict the load temperature with acceptable accuracy. From the economic analysis, the payback period of the system is 11.34 years.

Author Biography

Sunisa Khakhu, Solar Energy Research Laboratory, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom 73000, Thailand

 

 

 

References

Uddin, M. R., Mahmud, S., Salehin, S., Bhuiyan, M. A. A., Riaz, F., Modi, A., & Salman, C. A. (2021). Energy analysis of a solar driven vaccine refrigerator using environment-friendly refrigerants for off-grid locations. Energy Conversion and Management: X, 11, 1-15.

Kalbande, S., Deshmukh, S., & Khambalkar, V. (2016). Feasibility evaluation of solar refrigeration system: a case study. International Journal of Research in Applied, Natural and Social Sciences, 4(12), 87-94.

Babalola, P., Kilanko, O., Ishola, F., Oyedepo, S., Ayoola, A., & Mbah, S. (2022). Solar powered vaccine refrigerator for rural off-grid areas in Nigeria. In AIP Conference Proceedings (Vol. 2437, No. 1, pp. 020145-1 - 020145-9).

Dhondge, A., & Kalbande, S. (2018). Performance Assessment of Solar Photovoltaic Powered Vapor Compression Refrigeration System. International Journal of Agriculture Sciences, 10(14), 6651-6653.

Amratwar, G. V., & Hambire, U. V. (2021). A Review of Development and Application of Solar Photovoltaic Powered Refrigeration System. International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering, 10(3), 57-61.

Ljung, L. (1999). System identicication: theory for the user (2nd ed.). New Jersey, USA: Prentice Hall.

Park, C. (2002). Contemporary engineering economics (3rd ed.). New Jersey, USA: Prentice Hall.

O’callaghan, J., Menzies, D., & Bailey, P. (1971). Digital simulation of agricultural drier performance. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research, 16(3), 223-244.

Kahn, A.-L., Kristensen, D., & Rao, R. (2017). Extending supply chains and improving immunization coverage and equity through controlled temperature chain use of vaccines. Vaccine, 35(17), 2214-2216.

Downloads

Published

2022-12-31

How to Cite

Sirikaew, S., Pattarapanitchai, S., Khakhu, S., & Janjai, S. (2022). A solar-powered vapor compression refrigeration system for vaccine storage. Journal of Renewable Energy and Smart Grid Technology, 17(2), 1–8. Retrieved from https://ph01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/RAST/article/view/250650