© June 2023| IJIRT | Volume 10 Issue 1 | ISSN: 2349-6002

Mini Portable Refrigerator for Vaccines and Medicines

Dombale Anita1, Naphade Amit2, Anand Asit2, Sharma Ananya2, Andhale Aditya2, Andraskar Shruti2,
Andure Sidhant2
1,2
Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune

Abstract: The present cooling refrigerators in the markets need to ensure that vaccines and medicines are stored in
do fulfill one need for keeping their vaccines and insulins at an appropriate environment to maintain their efficacy and
the preferred temperature but one of the major safety.
disadvantages of a mini refrigerator is that it needs to be
This project proposes a solution that can provide reliable
plugged in every time it needs to be used. This problem can
and effective storage for vaccines and medicines. The
be overcome by making a portable mini refrigerator. We
can accomplish this with the help of the Peltier effect, Mini Fridge Refrigerator will be designed to maintain the
Thermoelectric cooling. A portable mini refrigerator that required temperature and humidity levels to prevent
anyone can carry anywhere without thinking about spoilage and degradation of the vaccines and medicines.
electricity. This mini fridge refrigerator is specifically This device can be an effective tool for healthcare
designed for storing vaccines and medicines at the professionals in remote areas or low-resource settings,
recommended temperature range of 2-8°C. With a compact where access to conventional refrigerators may be
size and portable design, it is ideal for use in clinics, limited.
pharmacies, and other healthcare facilities with limited
The Mini Fridge Refrigerator will be designed to be
space. The fridge features advanced temperature control
portable, lightweight, and user-friendly. The device will
technology and a digital display for easy monitoring and
adjustment. It also has a reliable power supply system, with be equipped with advanced features, including
both AC and DC power options, to ensure continuous temperature and humidity sensors, an adjustable
operation even during power outages. Overall, this mini thermostat, and a digital display for easy monitoring.
fridge refrigerator provides a convenient and effective This project aims to develop a cost-effective and
solution for the safe and reliable storage of vaccines and sustainable solution that can benefit healthcare
medicines. professionals and patients globally.
Overall, the Mini Fridge Refrigerator for Vaccines and
Keywords: Arduino coding, DHT 11 temperature sensor,
Medicines project is a crucial step towards ensuring the
L293D motor driver, Peltier effect, Seebeck effect.
safe and effective storage of vaccines and medicines,
INTRODUCTION especially in areas where access to modern healthcare
facilities is limited.
Refrigeration is the process of removing heat from a
space, substance, or system to lower and maintain its 1.1 The Peltier Effect: The Peltier effect is a
temperature below the surrounding environment. Our thermoelectric principle that occurs when electrons flow
project, ‘Mini Portable Refrigerator for Vaccines and through the collection of two dissimilar conductive
Medicines’ aims to provide cooling by using the Peltier substances, resulting in the transfer of heat across the
plate based on the Peltier effect. junction. The transfer of heat is caused by the flow of
Peltier devices function as cooling components in electrons from one material to the other, which leads to
microprocessors, blood analyzers, and portable coolers. the absorption or release of heat depending on the flow
In this project, we aim to develop a Mini Fridge of electric current. The Peltier effect is a reversible
Refrigerator for Vaccines and Medicines. The process, meaning that if the direction of the current is
importance of maintaining the proper storage conditions changed, the heat flow will also be reversed. This effect
of vaccines and medicines cannot be overstated. has important applications in refrigeration and cooling
Vaccines and medicines are highly sensitive to systems, as well as in thermoelectric power generation.
temperature and humidity changes, which can render
them ineffective and unusable. Hence, there is a pressing METHODOLOGY/EXPERIMENTAL

IJIRT 160390 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE RESEARCH IN TECHNOLOGY 310

 © June 2023| IJIRT | Volume 10 Issue 1 | ISSN: 2349-6002

Method
1. Make a box using cardboard and a polystyrene sheet.
Here we took four combos of 15*15 cm and 2 of
20*15 cm.
2. The door is attached for easy and better movement.
3. Put a Peltier plate between both heat sinks.
4. Connect the Peltier plate with the battery.
5. Here we used a temperature sensor for measuring the
temperature of the internals of the fridge.
6. Make a room for the battery and Arduino and circuit.
7. Turn on the Peltier plate and fan for the first 20 Fig.5:-L293D Motor driver
minutes.
8. Put the vaccines in the fridge and now it is ready to
use.
COMPONENTS

Fig.6:- Combination of Peltier plate

Fig.1:-LCD Display

Fig.7:-DC Cooling Fan

Fig.2:-Microcontroller

Fig.3:-Potentiometer Fig.4:-DHT11 Sensor

Fig.8:-Temperature display circuit

IJIRT 160390 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE RESEARCH IN TECHNOLOGY 311

 © June 2023| IJIRT | Volume 10 Issue 1 | ISSN: 2349-6002

Ⅴ. MATH

Peltier Effect Equation: The Peltier effect equation

describes the relationship between the heat absorbed or
released by a Peltier plate and the current flowing through
it. This equation is often used to calculate the cooling or
heating capacity of a Peltier plate.

Electrical Resistance Equation: The electrical resistance

equation describes the relationship between the voltage,
current, and resistance of a Peltier plate. This equation
Fig.9:-Motor driver circuit diagram can be used to calculate the electrical power consumed
Ⅲ. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS by the Peltier plates.

In our first try with the Peltier plate, the temperature Thermal Resistance Equation: The thermal resistance
dropped very low, thanks to the Li-ion battery. Then with equation describes the relationship between the
the help of the fan, the temperature dropped even further temperature difference and the heat flow rate between
and was maintained for a long time. two materials. This equation is often used to calculate the
In our first trial with the temperature sensor, it did not thermal conductivity of the materials being cooled by the
perform well. So, we replaced it with DHT 11 and it gave Peltier plates.
satisfying results.
After all tests with the temperature sensor and Peltier Heat Load Calculation: The heat load calculation
plate, we installed both of them in the box of the fridge involves calculating the amount of heat being generated
and we got the temperature result of 4℃. by the material being cooled. This calculation can be
based on the mass of the material, its specific heat
Ⅳ. PROCEDURE FOR PAPER SUBMISSION
capacity, and the temperature change.
A. Review Stage
In our first result, the temperature dropped to 8℃, so we Cooling Capacity Calculation: The cooling capacity
used Aluminum foil internally to avoid heat exchange calculation involves calculating the amount of heat being
and, colored the whole box white externally, we used pre- absorbed by the Peltier plates. This calculation can be
cooled cold drink cans to check the results. The based on the change of temperature between the sides of
temperature was maintained for 3 hours. the Peltier plates and the heat flow rate.

B. Figures Efficiency Calculation: The efficiency calculation

involves calculating the ratio of the cooling capacity to
the electrical power consumed by the Peltier plates. This
calculation can be used to find the overall efficiency of
the refrigerator.
Ⅵ. UNITS

Unit
Temperature ֯C (Degree Celsius)
Electric current A(Ampere)
Voltage V (Volt)
Power W (Watts)
Heat load W (watts)
Cooling capacity W (watts)
Time Minutes
Fig.10:- Overall block diagram

IJIRT 160390 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE RESEARCH IN TECHNOLOGY 312

 © June 2023| IJIRT | Volume 10 Issue 1 | ISSN: 2349-6002

Ⅶ. HELPFUL HINTS 5. Green Technology: Peltier plate-based refrigerators

are more environmentally friendly than traditional
C. Figures and Tables refrigerators that use refrigerants that contribute to
global warming. The absence of refrigerants in
Peltier plate-based refrigerators makes them an
attractive option for those who are concerned about
the environment.
Fig.11: Flow chart of circuit working Overall, Peltier plate-based refrigerators have a bright
future and are expected to play an important role in
Ⅷ. FUTURE SCOPE meeting the growing demand for energy-efficient and
environmentally friendly refrigeration solutions.
The mini portable refrigerator can be used in the future in
Epidemic Prevention Stations, Hospitals & Clinics, Ⅸ. CONCLUSION
Laboratories, Medicals, and Others. The hospitals &
clinics segment is expected to hold the largest portion Peltier plate-based small refrigerators offer several
from refrigerators during the forecast period owing to the advantages over traditional compressor-based
increasing number of patients suffering from various refrigerators, including reliability, cost-efficiency, and
diseases, and rising awareness about these various user-friendliness. They are particularly useful in rural
diseases. Peltier plate-based small refrigerators have areas and in the healthcare sector for storing syringes
several potential future scopes, including: and medication under suitable temperatures.
1. Energy Efficiency: There is a growing demand for In conclusion, Peltier plate-based small refrigerators
energy-efficient appliances in today's world. Peltier are a promising technology with several benefits, such
plate-based small refrigerators have the potential to as smaller size, portability, and energy efficiency,
be more energy efficient than traditional making them ideal for use in small spaces, remote
refrigerators that use compressors. Researchers and locations, and extreme environments. Additionally,
engineers are working to develop new materials and the absence of refrigerants makes them more
technologies that can improve the energy efficiency environmentally friendly. However, there are still
of Peltier plate-based refrigerators. some challenges associated with Peltier plate-based
2. Portable and Compact: Peltier plate-based refrigerators, such as limited cooling capacity, higher
refrigerators are small, lightweight, and portable, initial cost, and noise production.
making them ideal for use in compact spaces such as Despite these challenges, Peltier plate-based
dorm rooms, small apartments, and RVs. There is a refrigerators have several potential future applications,
growing demand for portable refrigeration solutions, including improving energy efficiency, reducing
and Peltier plate-based refrigerators are well noise, and increasing cooling capacity. They are also
positioned to meet this demand. well-positioned to meet the growing demand for
3. Cooling in Extreme Environments: Peltier plate- portable, energy-efficient, and environmentally
based refrigerators can operate in extreme friendly refrigeration solutions. This technology has
environments, such as in space, underwater, or in already found applications in various industries,
remote locations. This makes them an attractive including space exploration, marine exploration, and
option for a variety of industries, including space military applications. Continued research and
exploration, marine exploration, and military development in this area is expected to result in further
applications. improvements in the technology, making it an even
4. Noise Reduction: Peltier plate-based refrigerators more attractive option for a wide range of applications.
are quieter than traditional refrigerators because they Overall, Peltier plate-based small refrigerators offer a
don't have a compressor. However, they can still promising alternative to traditional compressor-based
produce some noise due to the cooling fan. refrigerators, and their future looks bright. They have
Engineers are working to develop new technologies the potential to revolutionize the refrigeration industry,
and materials that can further reduce the noise offering smaller, more portable, and energy-efficient
produced by Peltier plate-based refrigerators. solutions that are more environmentally friendly.

IJIRT 160390 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE RESEARCH IN TECHNOLOGY 313

 © June 2023| IJIRT | Volume 10 Issue 1 | ISSN: 2349-6002

REFERENCE [13] Roshan Patil, Prof. V.S.Kulnar, “Design and

experimental analysis of portable refrigerator system”,
[1] Youtube video link: https://www.youtube.com/ Vol-2, Issue- 3, 2016.
watch?v=BHFI9nGY8Qs [14] Prof. Rajendra P.Patil, Pradhyumna Suryawanshi,
[2] https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Cooling- Akshay Pawar, Avdhoot Pawar, “Thermoelectric
and-Heating-of-Refrigerator-Jacket-by-Using-Lavanya- refrigeration using peltier effect”, Vol-2 Issue-3, 2016.
Venkanteshwarlu/f184db65a81fbb7e30e836255e9b6edf [15] Rakesh.B.K., Anuj Shayan, Mithun Sharma.M.N.,
fe7c8d2e Mohan.M, Vinay Karthik. “Study, analysis and
[3] Measurement of Temperature and Humidity by fabrication of thermoelectric cooling system”, IJSDR,
using Arduino Tool and DHT11 https://www.irjet.net/e- Volume 1, Issue 5, May 2016.
ISSN: 2395-0056 p-ISSN: 2395-0072 [16] Prashant G.Sonkhede, Prof. A.K.Pathrikar,
[4]https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348169128 “Portable thermoelectric refrigeration system for medical
[5] An Experimental Study of Sustainable Cooling application”, International Journal of Innovative
using Peltier Effect https://www.ijert.org/ ISSN: 2278- Research in Computer and Communication Engineering,
0181 Vol. 4, Issue 3, March 2016.
[6] PELTIER THERMOELECTRIC COOLING [17] Onoroh Francis, “Analysis of thermoelectric
MODULE published by: global journal for research refrigeration” Pages: 483 – 495, February 2012, IEEE
analysis ISSN No 2277 – 8160 Transactions on Components, Packaging and
[7] Muhammad Fairuz Remeli, Nurfarah Ezzah Manufacturing Technology, Volume 2, Issue 3, March
Bakaruddin, Syahar Shawal, Hazran Husin, Muhammad 2012.
Fauzi Othman and Baljit Singh, Experimental study of a
mini cooler by using Peltier thermoelectric cell,
Muhammad Fairuz Remeli et al 2020 IOP Conf. Ser.:
Mater. Sci. Eng. 788 012076
[8] Sujith G, Antony Varghese, Ashish Achankunju,
Rejo Mathew, Renchi George, Vishnu.V “Design and
fabrication thermoelectric refrigerator with
thermosiphon system”, (IJSEAS), Volume 2, Issue 4,
April 2016
[9] Prof. N.B.Totala, Prof.V.P.Desai, Rahul K.N.Singh,
Debarshi Gangopadhyay, Mohd.Salman, Mohd. Yaqub,
Nikhil Sharad Jane, “Study and fabrication of
thermoelectric air cooling and heating system”,
International Journal of Engineering Inventions, Volume
4, Issue 2, August 2014.
[10] Mayank Awasthi and K.V.Mali, “design and
development of thermoelectric refrigerator”,
International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and
Robotic Research, August 2014
[11] Darshan Suryawanshi, Vaibhav Pokale, Nikhil
Pokharkar, Akshay Walgude, “Design and fabrication of
thermoelectric refrigerator for liquid cooling by
automatic temperature micro-controller”, International
Journal of Science Technology and Engineering, Volume
3, Issue 01, July 2016
[12] Thakkar Mohit Pravinchandra, “Peltier cooling
module”, Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University, April
2015

IJIRT 160390 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE RESEARCH IN TECHNOLOGY 314