Sun Frost is considering building a cart-mounted vaccine storage refrigerator. It would incorporate mountain-bike type wheels so that it could be moved over rough terrain. The refrigerator would have a net storage volume of about 40 litres. It would be a side-opening one and similar to the refrigerator compartment of our Sun Frost RFVB-134a. The cart-mounted refrigerator would be 28 inches (72 cm) wide, 35 inches (89 cm) long, 40 inches (102 cm) high. The top of the cart would be flat. The solar panel powering the refrigerator would be mounted on top of the refrigerator. A panel with about the same surface area as the top of the refrigerator would typically require the equivalent of 2.5 direct sun light hours to power the refrigerator each day. The panel would be detachable so that the refrigerator could be kept inside while the systems battery is being charged. In this configuration, the refrigerator could serve as the clinics primary refrigerator and then also be used for outreach programmes when necessary. We are considering using lithium ion batteries because of their light weight and long life. The cost of the system will be competitive with the lowest cost vaccine refrigerator currently available.
We would like to get feedback on the applicability of this potential system. What do you think?
Larry Schlussler, Ph.D.
Engineer and owner of Sun Frost
Dear Larry,
Although such a device appears to be theoretically attractive, the market for transportable solar refrigerators would be quite small. The use cases would be limited to a few cases and areas where currently available passive devices (long range cold boxes) would not meet the need. Highly performing new passive devices are also being field tested in Africa (with a cold life reaching 30 days and more)
While the concept has some merit, with such a limited market, i would be concerned with the financial viability of the production of such a device
regards
Michel
Interesting idea.
I think that the market for the device will primarily be determined by its cost and its life-span.
Potentially a great way to set up micro-businesses selling cold and electricity.
Would it not be more efficient to not have battery, and use ice to store energy? Direct charging could still be an option, for example to charge phones.
But what is realistic price?
In response to Michel and Oz comments:
Thank you for your comments. One of the motives for designing this product is cost savings. The portable refrigerator would be the primary refrigerator for a small clinic and also serve as a portable refrigerator for extended trips. The need of an ice pack freezer would be eliminated. The cost of the system would be about $2,800.00 including a long life lithium-ion battery.
The technology used for the refrigerator would be the same proven long life (20 years plus) technology we have been building for the past 25 years.
In response to Cath Bartlett,
The portable vaccine refrigerator we are proposing is not passive. It is a solar powered vaccine refrigerator. It does not need a separate ice pack freezer as you would need for your passive model. It would be portable but could also serve as the primary refrigerator for a remote clinic.
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