Design and experimental investigation of a thermoelectric vaccine cabinet integrated with photovoltaic and nanofluids

Abstract

Vaccines are one of the most effective methods used to prevent many lethal and infectious diseases from past to present. Generally, storage temperatures of vaccines are between 2 and 8 degrees C. Keeping the vaccines in this temperature range and ensuring reach the end user without deterioration is very important in order to prevent the vaccines from losing their effectiveness. In this regard, various cooling systems are used. One of the devices used to ensure the cold storage of vaccines is a thermoelectric device. Thermoelectric devices attract attention as an energy-efficient technology, as well as their compact structure, silent and vibration-free operation, and suitability for automation. In this study, the design and manufacturing of a photovoltaic solar energy-driven, nanofluid-integrated thermoelectric vaccine cabinet was carried out and its performance data were experimentally examined. The capacity of the vaccine cabinet is 200 vaccine vials and 200 ready-to-use syringes, as well as the battery and inverter parts. In experiments carried out at two different outdoor temperatures, heat removal from the hot surface of the thermoelectric cooler with different refrigerants were examined. In addition, the effects of using fans were also investigated while the heat swept from the surface was transferred to the environment with the help of a water-to-air heat exchanger. In the experiments carried out for a total of 8 different cases, the highest average coefficient of performance value obtained during the experiments was 1.19. Experimental results show that vaccine storage temperatures can be reached under the prepared operating conditions.