Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
Thermoelectric modules are solid-state devices with low form factor, high reliability which can be actively controlled for precision temperature control. Precise temperature control is critical for storage of blood, medicines and vaccines which can lose their potency under elevated temperatures. Most cold storage technologies in use today are based on vapor compression technology which use refrigerants with high global warming potential. Many portable cooling systems use chemical gels which are harmful to the environment as well as human health. With the advent of global warming and achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals-3,7,13 as well as the success of global immunization programs, research and implementation of sustainable alternative cooling technologies is imminent. This study provides the design and energy simulation results using finite-element method and computational fluid dynamics techniques for a portable photovoltaic-thermoelectric cooling system for securing the potency of medicines and vaccines especially for remote, war-torn and desolate regions. Results indicate that the system achieved a mean cooling temperature of −2.7 °C at 1000 W/m 2 direct solar irradiance exposure for three modeled cases at 43 °C ambient air temperature and is found suitable for use as an alternative and sustainable cooling solution to many nonsustainable products used in the industry.
Rahul Chandel (Fri,) studied this question.