Western Solar ,Refrigeration

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WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTE

EPI/CCIS/82.3 Cor. 1 ENGLISH ONLY

1982/83 FIELD TRIALS ON SOLAR POWERED REFRIGERATORS FOR VACCINE STORAGE

Expanded Programme on Immunization CORRIGENDID1

Please replace page 8, Figure 1.2, by the English version of the figure produced overleaf.

The issue of this document does not constitute formal publication. lt should not be reviewed, abstracted or quoted without the agreement of the World Health Organization. Authors alone are responsible for views expressed in signed articles.

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Ce document ne constitue pas une publication.

11 ne doit faire l'objet d'aucun compte rendu ou resume ni d'aucune citation sans l'autorisation de

!'Organisation Mondiale de la Sante. les opinions exprimees dans les articles signes n'engagent que leurs auteurs.

Specifications Dim~nsions • l::xternal: L 82.0 x H 91.0 x D 67.0 cm. • Frceur Interior: l 9.5 x H 40.0 x D 46.5 cm. • Reefer hm:rior: L ~9.5 >.. H 40.0 x D 46.5 cm. C».pll('il} • Free/er: 17.61iters • Ret"fcr: 93.2 lncrs \\-'right • 55 kg. Mlllttrillls

freezer • Durable thermo-plastic and fiberglass-reinforced plastic cabtnct destgned for use in hostile environments • ( hromed bra~s and stainless s1ecl hardware • Magnetic ga~kct fur posit1ve seal • S1eel c..t~tcrs • l·uar11ed 111-pla..:e pol)urethanc: insulation Eleclrkllll Proleclion • Under-11oltage cutout: 10.8 VDC :t .2 VDC • Over-\'oltagc cutoul: 15.5 -16.0 VDC • OvN-~urrent cutout: 10.0 amperes nominal • Re\oer:,e vohagc protection Rtfrigrration S)slem • Compre:,sor: 12 VOC at 5.5 amperes nominal current consumption • Conr.Jcn!l.er fan motor: 12 VDC at .5 amperes nominal current consumption • Condcn.)er: air-..:ooled singJe pass • Evaporator: eutectic holdover cell, approximately 1800 BTU at -II0C. Ptrform•nu Requiremenls • Operable from 11.5-15.5 VDC at6.0 amperes nominal currenl consumption • Power consumption not exceeding 20 ampere hours per 24 hours when operated at an ambient temperature of 24°C • Freezer temperalUre regulation to -7°C :t 2YJ0 and regulatable to within r • Re(:fer temperature regulation to 3°C and regulatable to within r A fuJI in-house quality control program is maintained to assure highest standards of reliability. AJI units are tested for 72 hours prior to ~hipment, and carry a one year warranty.

Western Solar ,Refrigeration

Western Solar Refrigeration, Inc. 715 "J" Street San Diego, California 92101 Tel: (714) 235-6002 TLX: 182 754 HQ LJLA

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WESTERN SOLAR REFRIGE1tATION, INC. --- 115 "1" S!reel• Siiln DleQo Ci.hforn1a 92101 (7l4l 235·6002 Telex 182 754. HO LJLA

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTE

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EPI/CCIS/82.3

vol~. t:o~~.

ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

1982/83 FIELD TRIALS ON SOLAR POWERED REFRIGERATORS

FOR VACCINE STORAGE ⁱ

Expanded Programme on Immunization

···

Introduction

One of five types of solar powered refrigeration systems, which were surveyed by WHO during 1980 (EPI/CCIS/81.5) is now offered on the market by several manufacturers in Europe and the United States. Photovoltaic panels powering special compression type refrigerators can be used to store vaccine and to freeze icepacks with only the sun as a power source.

However, very few of these solar refrigerator models have been independently tested and none have yet undergone fully monitored field trials in the Expanded Programme on

Immunization. The National Aeronautical and Space Administration and. the Centers for Disease Control have laboratory tested several systems developed in the United States of America.

They are now beginning fully monitored field trials in 13 countries and the first system was installed in October 1981 at Bhooparal HC, India.

WHO is superv1s1ng independent laboratory tests on ten other solar refrigeration systems following a similar test procedure as NASA/CDC. WHO is also preparing to support fully monitored field trials in addition to those organized by NASA/CDC.

The importance of monitoring solar refrigerators comprehensively is that, to be an economic and practical alternative to those run on conventional energy sources, they have to be designed for high efficiency and reliability so that the whole-life cost is lower and reliability is higher. Data are needed on the performance of the equipment under working conditions which will be used to design more efficient and economic solar refrigerator systems for any chosen location. Also the data will be used to further improve the performance of the individual components of those systems.

The data obtained by NASA/CDC and WHO will be combined and made available to manufacturers and EPI managers.

The purpose of this paper is to summarize the present status of solar (photovoltaic) refrigeration testing and to describe plans for WHO support to field trials during 1982/83.

Present status:

Photovoltaic refrigerators (see Annex 1) are now available from a number of suppliers and manufacturers. A complete system usually comprises solar (photovoltaic) panels to generate power, a special refrigerator, batteries to store energy and electronic controls.

Each component may be supplied by a different manufacturer but the supplier of the complete system accepts responsibility for its design and provides a guarantee.

The issue of this document does not constitute formal publication. lt should not be reviewed, abstracted or quoted without the agreement of the World Health Organization. Authors alone are responsible for views expressed in signed articles.

Ce document ne constitue pas une publication.

11 ne doit faire l'objet d'aucun compte rendu ou resume ni d'aucune citation sans l'autorisation de

!'Organisation Mondiale de la Sante. Les opinions exprimees dans les articles signes n'engagent que leurs auteurs.

Table 1 lists the suppliers of each system which is known to us at present together with the names of some of the main component manufacturers. Table 1 also indicates the testing status of each system. Each of the individual components, such as the refrigerator, are performance tested before field trials in EPI begin. There are established test procedures for solar panels at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the United States of America and the CEC Joint Research Centre in Italy.

Over the last two years the National Aeronautical and Space Administration have conducted laboratory tests on a large number of solar refrigerator systems offered by

American companies. One system has already passed these qualification and acceptance tests (see Annex 1) and field tests have begun under an agreement with the Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta and the USAID in the following countries:

Countrl No. of slstems *Responsible agency

Colombia 1 CDC/PAHO

Dominican Republic 1 USA ID

Ecuador 1 USA ID

Egypt 2 USA ID

Gambia 2 CDC

Guatemala 1 USA ID

Guyana 1 US AID

Haiti 1 USA ID

Honduras 1 USA ID

Ivory Coast 2 CDC

India 1 CDC/WHO/SEARO

Indonesia 2 USA ID

Liberia 1 US AID

Maldives 1 CDC/WHO/SEARO

Morocco 1 USA ID

Peru 1 CDC/PAHO

Philippines 2 USA ID

Tunisia 1 US AID

Upper Volta 1 USA ID

Zaire 1 USA ID

Zimbabwe 1 USA ID

*Responsible for supervision, data collection and paying all local costs.

Table 1; Present status of photovoltaic refrigerator testing Supplier Refrigerator Solar (photovoltaic) Laboratory Field cabinet panel manufacturer tests ins ta llat ions manufacturer Mercuria International IDE IDE WHO/in progress 1 unit in Zaire Belgium Belgium Belgium Elf Aquitaine Not known France Photon WHO/in progress 1 unit each in France (Solarex) results; February 1982 Mali and Gabon *Solar Power Corporation Adler Barbour SPC Passed NASA testing NASA field trials USA USA USA started October 1981 *Western Solar Western Solar Solavolt Int. NASA/in progress **NASA field trials USA USA USA results; January 1982 start in 1982 Philippines WHO/WPRO ARCO Solar ~-lestern Solar ARCO None Not known USA USA USA Leroy-Somer Leroy-Somer France Photon WHO/in progress Senegal and Polynesia France France France (Solarex) Photon Power Ltd Western Solar Photon Power None None OSA USA USA Solarex Adler Barbour Solarex WHO/in progress None USA USA USA results; February 1982 Lucas BP Solar LEC Lucas BP, UK WHO/planned 1982 None System/UK UK or Ventre Technology UK Photowatt Int. Western Solar Photowatt Int. None Not known USA USA USA Electrolux Electrolux AEG WHO/planned 1982 None Luxemburg Luxemburg Ger. Dem. Rep. Champion Solar Champion Solar Various WHO/planned 1982 None Northern lreland (Thermo-electric type, not compression) Standard Solar Collectors Not known Not known WHO/planned 1982 None USA --------- * Passed laboratory tests and available for field trial.

**

Other field installations in; Australia, Botswana, Egypt, Greece, Grenada, Japan, Kampuchea, Mali, Mexico, Outer Mongolia, St Kitts, St Vincent, Tanzania, U.S. Pacific Trust Territories, Venezuela, and 42 being used and tested in the

u.s.

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One further system supplied by Solavolt International, USA, has passed qualification tests for NASA and samples may be purchased for field trials during 1982.

WHO/EPI is now conducting a laboratory test programme on photovoltaic refrigerators.

Five samples are currently on test and a second batch of five will commence in January 1982.

The tests are being performed on the refrigerator cabinets, batteries and regulators. The solar panels are not being tested but the suppliers are being asked to provide details of independent tests which have already been made.

When the laboratory tests are complete the results will be provided to purchasing agencies and programme managers who wish to conduct field trials. They will also be used to design complete refrigerator systems for each location chosen for field trials and to

determine which spare parts are most likely to be required in the field.

Plans for 1982/1983 field trials

The objective of the field trials is to evaluate the performance and reliability of the new photovoltaic refrigerators when used in EPI under widely varying climatic conditions.

Data are needed from the trials in order both to improve the design of each component of the refrigerator system and to be sized accurately for each new location.

It is therefore most important that each refrigerator system is closely monitored and observations recorded for six months to one year after installation. This requires special instrumentation (see Annex 2) to be fitted to a majority of refrigerators included in the field trial and it also requires that the users of the equipment are trained in data collection procedures.

The scope of the field trials is dependent on the interest of EPI countries. However, it is hoped that between 5 and 15 samples of each new refrigerator system which passes the laboratory tests should be included in the field trials.

Approximately five systems are required in each country selected so that a variety of locations can be used simultaneously and ensure that support to the project is provided 1n an economic way.

Donations of photovoltaic refrigerator samples are already being made to WHO and will be accepted conditional on the results of laboratory tests and country requests. Materials guarantees and some minor spare parts are usually provided by the donor but the cost of shipping, installation and maintenance falls on WHO or the receiving country. The approximate costs of one national trial are set out in Table 2.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Table 2: Cost estimate for one national field trial Item

Photovoltaic refrigerator + system complete with minor spare parts:

Full monitoring instrumentation:

Partial monitoring instrumentation:

Major spare parts:

Shipping:

Visit of experts to help install refrigerators and train users and technicians:

Visits of an expert for repair, data collection, general consultation:

Local costs including transport to site, foundations and fencing for solar panels - per system:

Quantity

5 2 3

5 5

(experts) 2 (visits)

2

5

Unit cost

us$

6 000 3 500 1 000 300 1 000

2 250

2 250

1 000 Total including

refrigerator system:

+Total excluding refrigerator system and partial monitoring provided by donor:

US$

US$

EPI/CCIS/82.3 page 5

Total cost

us$

30 000

7 000

3 000 1 500 5 000

5 500

5 500

5 000

62 500 + 15%

29 500 + 15%

In addition to the recourses listed in Table 2, a technical supervisor is required if possible in the country or serving a group of countries. The technical supervisor would join the installation team and thereafter would visit the site each three to six months to collect data and calibrate instruments, or more frequently if repairs are needed.

Finally, the local support of EPI personnel is needed to provide day to day care of the refrigerator during use, routine supervision and data recording. User manuals will be supplied with each refrigerator and instructional materials for reading the monitoring instruments are being prepared by WHO.

Recording forms in English, French, Spanish and Arabic will be provided for the operation of each refrigerator for one year. Copies of the forms will be returned to WHO, Geneva where data from the field trials will be pooled with the results of the NASA trials and analysed. A full progress report on the trials will be distributed by WHO, Geneva after the first national trial has been in progress for six months.

Annex 1

SOLAR (PHOTOVOLTAIC) REFRIGERATORS

A photovoltaic powered refrigerator uses a compressor and normal freon cycle as in a conventional mains driven domestic refrigerator. The compressor motor is direct current type and generally requires 12V or 24V. This is powered by a battery, usually lead-acid type, which is charged by the solar panel. There is normally a voltage regulator between the array

and the battery to prevent overcharging the battery and another voltage regulator between the battery and compressor motor to prevent excessive discharge of the battery (which could destroy it) and to protect the compressor. A schematic of the system is given 1n Figure 1.1.

SOLAR SUB-SYSTEM

Figure 1.1: A diagram of a photovoltaic refrigerator

Regulator Batteries

BATTERY SUB-SYSTEM

1--t--t Inverter/

regulator

REFRIGERATOR

REFRIGERATOR SUB-SYSTEM

The number of solar panels for a particular refrigerator cabinet is chosen on the basis of the amount of solar energy received where the refrigerator is to be installed, less sunlight requires more panels.

Batteries are required for energy storage and to supply the high starting current used by the refrigerator compressor. The number and size of the batteries are determined by the number of cloudy, dull days on which the refrigerator must run without the sun.

The refrigerator cabinet normally differs from a conventional one mainly in that extra insulation is included to reduce energy requirements and ice lining may be included to maintain the temperature when the compressor cannot run.

Annex 1

EPI/CCIS/82.3 page 7

Pictures of the components of refrigerator systems from two U.S. manufacturers are shown in Figures 1.2 and 1.3. The solar panel must be supported on foundations on the ground with a protective fence. Alternatively the panel can be installed on a strong flat roof or a wood or steel pylon suspended above the ground.

The batteries on this system are enclosed within the refrigerator. This is only satisfactory with sealed batteries which do not require frequent maintenance.

The cable connecting the solar panel with the batteries and the refrigerator must be well protected and cannot be much longer than 30 metres in total.

Specifications

J)irncno;ions • E'tCricur: L ~2.0 x H 9\.0 x P 67.0 cm. • lntCricur de la glaciCre: L 9.5 x H 40.0 x P 46.5 ern. • lntCneur du rdngi:rateur: L 49.5 x H 40.0 x P 46.5 cm. Capacilt' • Gla~.:iCre: 17.6 litres • RCfrigcratcur: 93.2 li1res glaciere Poid" • 55 kg. Matt'riau'\ • Pla!<.tiquc-thermal et plastiquc renrorcC de fibre.~ de verre • Quin1.'aillc1ic en cui\ re ~.:hrome cl en acier inoxydable Joint magnCtiquc Ctanchc Roulcttes en acicr lsolement polyurethane Proteclion i-leclricale • Coupe de sous-voltage: 10.8 ± .2 volts courant continu • Coupe de sur-voltage: 15.5-16.0 volts courant continu • Coupe de sur-courant: 10.0 ampCres moyenne • Protection de vollage renversi: S)'steme de rtrrigeralion • Compresseur: 12 volts courant continua 5.5 amperes de consommation moyenne • Moteur du ventilateur du condensateur: 12 volts courant cominu a .5 amperes de consommarion moyenne • Condensateur: circulation unique d'air froid • Evaporateur: eli:nlent d'accu eutectique, apprO."<imativemenl 1800 BTU a -11 'C Niveau de performance • Fonctionnement de 11.5 -15.5 volts courant continua 6.0 amperes de consommation moyenne • Consommation d'i:nergie n'exct!dant pas 20 ampere-heures en 24 heures de fonctionnement a la temperature ambiante de 24°C • Stabilisation de temperature de la glaciere a -7°C ±2Y2°, ri:glable a plus ou moins 2° • Stabilisation de temperature du ri:frigt!rateur a 3°C, ri:glable a plus ou moins r Chaque ri:frigi:rateur subit un programme complete de contrOie de qualite. 11 est essayi: pendant 72 heures avant expi:dition, et garanti pour un an.

Western Solar o )Refrigeration

Western Solar Refrigeration, Inc. 715 "J" Street San Diego, California 92101 Tel: (714) 235-6002 TLX: 182 754 HQ LJLA WESTERN SOLAR REFRIGERATION, INC. --- 715 'T' Street· San D1ego California 92101 (114) 235-6002 Telex 182 754 HQ LjLA

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Medical Refrigeration Data Sheet ~ r• ;;

e W _; · .pp;: ;;::: ;:• r 41 ;:eo 1. :. 0 ilifl w""' . flfPP4?1 Tt,.h¥4&;9fi! SPC REFRIGERATOR/FREEZER SYSTEM DESIGN REFRIGERATOR/FREEZER SYSTEM DESIGN The Solar Power Corpora Iron Relngerator /Freezer System Model SPC-RFt rs a stand alone. modular system prOviding rehable relngerat1on lor med1cal or personal requ1rements No addJtronal power source is required. SPC-RF 1 system meets and exceeds the specrficatrons ol NASA-LeRC. The Cenler for Drsease Control. and the World Health Organizatron. SPC"s PV R/F system has passed NASA"s qualilrcatron and acceptance tests 1n accordance w1th the requ1rements ol Sectron 7 5 of the AN SI procedure and the W H 0 Standard Test Procedure for Refr1gerators and Freezers I or use rn the Cold Charn -Draft I 0 4 80 I. PHOTOVOLTAIC GENERATOR {LG-SERIES) Design • Thermo-mechan1cally matched components • 12. 6. 4 volt module configurations • S1hcon cells bonded w1th copper-clad 1nvar buses • Low-Hon content lempered glass module cover • Multr-layered backsheet • Rear ;unct1on box • Tr1ple bypass d1ode des1gn • Vanable trlt angle adjustment • Sleek. lrghtwerght • Envrronmentally tested to US Dept ol Energy JPL document 51 01 -16 specrfrcalrons 11. REFRIGERATOR/FREEZER Design • Integral untt of SPC·RF1 bo>.. compressor. condenser, battery complement_ electrontc controls and tnstrumentatton • Chest type (lop openrng) • Stx mches tnsulatton • Adtuslable lhermostalrc control wrth temperature lndtcatton • Hrnged. selfclosrnQ. lockable outer I'd • Htnged tntenor hds • Trtple seal of outer. mner l1d gaskets and tnterlactng gasket. • Produclron output of 2 0 kg rce/day Materials • I ntertor of an alumtnum. one-p1ece extruston • Extertor of an F 0 A approved epoxy coated alumtnum • Lmer seal of an alumtnum mylar him vapor bamer • 15 24 cm {6 0"") rnsulatron ol polyurethane. 2 0 lb denstty closed eel' • lntenor refrtgerator /freezer lids of plextglass • Ftnned copper-coated. rust-proof condensor • Non-corrostve fasteners • Pnmed baked enamel ftntshes • Rollbonded alumtnum. pnmary surface evaporator ~-r-""·---.~--~..,.-~-___...,.--•• ·""'"' f'1~4R..:J.,._41.lf 4 Ti>; >ii•4j Ofif·+ .._....,.--. F'" 910,41'.·1 SOLAR POWER CORPORATION/20 CABOT ROAD/WOBURN, MA 01801/TEL: (617) 935-4600/TWX: 710-348-0602 MEDICAL REFRIGERATION DATA SHEET

REFRIGERATOR/FREEZER SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS

A. MECHANICAL 1. Dimensions • Height of assembly • Length ot assembly • Wrdlh of assembly 2. Capacity • Relrigerator only. gross volume • Refrigerator only. net usable volume • Refrigerator /freezer un11. freezer gross volume • Refrigerator/freezer unit, freezer net usable volume • Refrigerator /freezer unit. refrigerator gross volume

43" 43"" 27" • Refrigerator/freezer unit, refngerator net usable volume 3. Weight {less Batteries) • Assembly 4. Shipping Specs (less Batteries)

210 lbs.

109.30 cm 109.30 cm 68.63 cm 1 03.24 Lilres 93 77 Litres 34 41 Lrtres 25 47 Lrtres 68 82 Lrtres 68 30 Litres 95.20 kg • Volume/Weight/Number of Packages 28.9 cu. ft./260 lbs./one .81 cu. m./117.9 kg/one B. ELECTRICAL 1. Performance • Operable from I 0.5 to 15.0 VDC at 5.2 amperes nomrnal current • Freezer temperature regulation range: -25° to -15°C (-13° to 5° F) • Refrigerator temperature regulation range: +4° to 8°C (39° to 47°F) • Condensing unit: 12 VDC at 5.4 amperes under designed operating conditions 2. Regulation & Monitoring • Shortrng type {12V, 30 amps nominal) • Regulation 14.4V_ full charge volts • Standby (quiescent) current 3 milramps typical • System (array/battery) volt and current meter • Amp-hour meter (load/array/currenl) • Elapsed timer for compressor run-time 3. Protection • Low voltage cutout: I 0.5 VDC • Low voltage cutin: 11.5 VDC • Circuit breaker {automatic trip) • Over-voltage cutout: 15.5 -16.0 VDC • Over-current cutout: 10.0 amperes nominal • Reverse polarity protection C. BATTERIES • Lead calcium single cell type • ""No-Sun Days" storage capacity • Externally connected NOTE: Output cable requrrements for I he solar generator /regulator connection vary wrlh each system. SPC supplies lhis cable at an additional cost if customer spec1fied.

I Solar Power • Corporation I

AFFILIATE OF EJf(ON CORPORATION

Top V1ew. Plex1glass Surlaced Freezer/Aefngerator Un1ts SPC-AF1 Condenser and Compar1ment Controls 20 CABOT ROAD/WOBURN. MA 01801 Tel (617) 935-4600/TWX 710-348-0602 7/t 98;

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Annex 2

MONITORING SOLAR (PHOTOVOLTAIC) REFRIGERATORS

The new solar refrigerators need to be closely monitored during the field trial in order

record problems, failures and corrective action

collect data to verify system sizing and design (number of solar panels etc.) in different locations,

identify component/system inadequacies assess reliability in use,

check vaccine cooling and icepack freezing performance under field conditions.

Therefore, three different kinds of information should be collected:

(a) Instantaneous performance:

solar irradiance, power, from array, power to refrigerator,

refrigerator internal temperature, external air temperature.

(b) Cumulative performance:

cumulative solar irradiation (insolation), electrical energy output of array,

electrical energy input to refrigerator and percentage running time, average/minimum/maximum internal temperatures,

average/minimum/maximum ambient air temperatures, number and period of door openings,

approximate refrigerator loading.

(c) Reliability and durability:

record of repairs (e.g. seal replacements), record of breakdowns,

record of maintenance required (e.g. battery "top ups" or solar panel cleaning, record of deterioration of materials.

Checks are made by the user each day on the instantaneous data and the readings are recorded. A reading is also made each day or each week on the cumulative data and a record is kept. When maintenance or repairs are carried out and when a breakdown occurs a detailed record is kept on the reliability of the equipment and problems encountered when repairing it.

All the performance data are to be collected on a single instrument which is now being assembled from standard components and tested for WHO by IT Power, Ltd, United Kingdom. This instrument will be installed with all fully monitored refrigerator systems. Partially

monitored systems will be fitted with a chart recorder.