Design and analysis of a solar-powered refrigeration system with thermal energy storage for efficient storage of scorpion antivenom

Abstract

This study investigates the use of a saltwater (sodium chloride and water) solution as a phase change material (PCM) in a small fridge for storing scorpion antivenom in Sudan's northern state. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the PCM in maintaining suitable storage temperature which 3 ± 2°C. By adding salt to the water, the freezing point decreased, enabling the solution to absorb more heat energy because the heat capacity of the saltwater solution is higher than the saltwater ice phase. The base case maintained (2310 g of water only) an average temperature of 9.5°C, while Case 1 (35 g of salt in 2310 g of water) reached 7°C and Case 2 (70 g of salt in 2310 g of water) achieved 5°C. Increasing the amount of saltwater solution led to improved heat absorption. Case 5 (70 g of salt in 4950 g of water) achieved an optimal storage temperature of 4°C. The relationship between outside and inside temperatures showed stable maintenance after initial melting, with a slight increase of approximately 1.5°C. These findings demonstrate the potential of solar-powered fridge with PCM for reliable medication storage in remote areas. By optimizing salt concentration and quantity, temperature-sensitive medications can be stored effectively, improving availability and quality.