Production and Experimentation of Adapted Photovoltaic Refrigerator for Vaccine Storage

Abstract

For several years, the World Health Organization, within the framework of the Expanded Vaccination Programme, is most interested in the photovoltaic channel for vaccine conservation in developing countries. In fact, the solution of the compression refrigerator supplied by photo-elements actually seems to be the response for the omnipresent energy shortage in these regions. The studies and experimental follow-ups concerning the photovoltaic refrigerators available on the market have shown that it would be interesting to develop a very small size-type apparatus, portable and offering some low electric consumption. Costic, in cooperation with the company Alpes-Froid has launched a programme for developing such an apparatus. This programme, which had begun by formulating a set of specifications and tests on a trial model, has succeeded in the completion of a keeping-container prototype liable to be industrially manufactured. The design analysis of this prototype as well as the qualification tests in a climatic chamber have permitted us to verify the characteristics of this refrigerator and its adaptation to the cold chain within the framework of vaccine conservation. This study has been realized with the financing of the French Agency for Energy Management and the Commission of the Europeen Communities.