Experimental Investigation of Peltier Based Thermoelectric Cooling System for Vaccine Storage

Abstract

Vaccines are typically administered during routine immunization programs, with a critical focus on maintaining a cold chain system. The cold chain system plays a pivotal role in ensuring the efficacy of vaccines. In this paper, a portable solar-powered vaccine carrier box based on the Peltier Effect for effective vaccine cooling is designed and experimented. The system is equipped with four 12V DC 3.5A Thermoelectric Cooler (TEC) Peltier Modules, with strategically positioned heat-sinks outside the cooling box. Additionally, the setup incorporates a 12V 180W Solar Panel for daytime power generation and eight Rechargeable Li-Po 3.7V 4500mAh batteries for uninterrupted operation for 3 hours. The experimentation involved three distinct conditions. Firstly, in the empty cooling box, a gradual temperature decrease was observed. Secondly, with the introduction of 10 sterile glass vaccine tubes filled with water, the temperature decreased more slowly, reaching 15°C in 62 minutes and 8°C after 90 minutes. Lastly, with 6 vaccine tubes, it took approximately 55 minutes to reach 15°C and about 90 minutes to achieve the desired 8°C temperature. The system exhibits a Coefficient of Performance COP of 0.42. The findings emphasize the effective cooling performance of the novel storage system, highlighting its ability to maintain temperatures below 15°C, a critical factor in preserving vaccines.