Solar Cooling System: An Innovative Solution for Drug Conservation in Mozambique

Abstract

Considering the lack of electricity in rural areas of Mozambique, which compromises the proper preservation of medicines, this study investigates viable technological solutions for implementing a sustainable refrigeration system. The objective is to identify and evaluate refrigeration technologies that can be used in areas without access to electricity, focusing on technical and economic feasibility. To this end, an absorption refrigeration system is analysed, utilizing a generator heated by a solar collector, a condenser, an absorber, and energy storage with thermal oil. Thus, it is observed that the designed system, with a capacity to store 1000 vaccines, is efficient and economically viable, with initial costs of 222,410.00 MZN and annual cash flows of 50,000.00 MZN. This allows concluding that absorption refrigeration is a practical and sustainable solution for the preservation of medicines in rural areas of Mozambique, recommending future studies on insulation materials, solar collectors, and alternative storage systems to improve the technology.

Keywords: Foreign fund, Challenge Absorption refrigeration, Solar energy, Thermal insulation, Vaccines, Sustainability.

DOI: 10.7176/JETP/14-3-02

Publication date: September 30^th 2024