RFVB-134a
Solar Powered
Vaccine Storage Refrigerator Freezer
World Health Organization Tested & Approved
PRICES
- Most efficient refrigerator in its size range
- Lowest system cost: Fewer solar panels and batteries to purchase,
transport, and install
- Rugged construction for remote service
- Reliable: Only one moving part
- Excellent temperature control
- Reserve cooling capacity: Runs only 27% of the time in a hot
43° C (110° F) environment
- Easy to defrost and clean: More convenient than chest models
- Most efficient tested and approved by the World Health Organization
VERY RELIABLE:
Many Years of Trouble Free Operation
- Rustproof cabinet and hardware
- Evaporator is unexposed - cannot be punctured during defrosting
- All copper cooling system prevents corrosion
- Condenser is easy to clean and minimally effected by dust and
cobwebs
- Compressor is the only moving part - no fans are necessary
For the past 12 years Sun Frost refrigerators/freezers have been
used in over 50 countries and have an excellent track record. Sun
Frost units are very ruggedly constructed and will provide many
years of reliable operation, even in the harshest environments.
The sole moving part in the SUN FROST RFVB refrigerator is a hermetically
sealed compressor. The brushless motor used in the DC models eliminates
periodic servicing. If servicing is ever necessary, the simplicity
of the cooling system and the accessibility of the compressor make
it a simple matter.
Life expectancy of a compressor is lowered primarily by high condenser
and oil temperatures. The SUN FROST refrigerator, with its top mounted
cooling system, allows room for air to freely circulate and effectively
cool the compressor and over sized condenser. Conventional cooling
systems, mounted in confined spaces on the side or below the refrigerator,
will run considerably hotter, lowering compressor life.
The evaporator in the RFVB is protected by a fiberglass liner and
cannot be punctured while defrosting, a common problem in many manual
defrost refrigerators.
Also contributing to the longevity of the cooling system is the
compressor's low percentage run time, only 19% in a 32° C (90°
F) room.
The low energy consumption of the RFVB allows the use of a smaller
and more reliable battery for the funds expended. In a photovoltaic
refrigerator system, the battery bank is the component with the
shortest expected life. A battery may last from 2 to 15 years, depending
on the quality of the battery and how it is used and maintained.
Battery life is extended by decreasing the degree to which the batteries
are discharged.
NO FOSSIL FUELS Neccessary
The
SUN FROST RFVB provides a means of
storing vaccines and medical supplies without the use of fossil
fuels. Not only is the need for a fuel supply eliminated, but the
unit operates more reliably than kerosene powered refrigerators.
The refrigerator is typically powered by a photovoltaic charged
battery bank. This reliable power source is dependent only on sunlight,
which is in abundance in most developing nations. Alternatively,
the system's batteries may also be charged by wind, hydro power,
or a small generator. If portability is important, the refrigerator
may be run by car or truck batteries.
In areas where utility power is intermittent but where it is important
to maintain reliable refrigeration, the system's batteries may be
powered by a small battery charger powered by utility power.
RFVB: THE
MOST EFFICIENT REFRIGERATOR
The cost of a solar power system is typically more than the cost
of the refrigerator, so efficiency is of prime importance in reducing
system costs. As a result of the low energy consumption of the Sun
Frost RFVB, the cost of the power system will be reduced by more
than US$700.00. Our RFVB Vaccine Storage unit is the most efficient
DC refrigerator tested and approved by the World Health Organization
(WHO).
The SUN FROST RFVB refrigerator employs unique design innovations
to achieve its exceptionally low energy consumption. The heart of
the system is a highly efficient compressor and condenser. Top mounting
the cooling system lowers the energy consumption in two ways: (1)
heat gain into the cabinet is reduced and (2) the lower condenser
temperature increases the efficiency of the cooling system.
The walls of the RFVB contain four to
six inches of polyurethane foam insulation - the best
insulation commercially available. Unlike many other refrigerators,
the insulating value of the walls of the RFVB are not lowered by
metal supports between the inner and outer cases.
The top mounted condenser on the SUN FROST RFVB is accessible and
easy to clean, allowing the cooling system to continue running efficiently.
The efficiency of the cooling system is further increased by eliminating
the need for fans, which consume energy and generate unwanted heat
and noise. Furthermore, dust and cobwebs which collect on the intricate
surface of the back or bottom mounted condenser of conventional
refrigerators reduce the effectiveness of their cooling systems.
EFFICIENCY REDUCES SYSTEM COSTS TO LOWEST
AVAILABLE
To produce one amp. hour* of electrical energy per day in the U.S.
requires an investment of $45.00 in a PV system. In a developing
country this cost may be considerably higher.
When making ice the highly efficient SUN FROST RFVB typically saves
25 amp. hours per day when compared to the average refrigerator
tested by the World Health Organization. This increased efficiency
translates to a savings of over $1000.00 in the PV power system.
ICE STORAGE FURTHER INCREASES SYSTEM RELIABILITY
The relatively large freezer in the RFVB can easily hold 12 kilograms
of ice. This ice may be transferred to the refrigerator section
if the cooling system is not in operation due to refrigerator failure,
loss of power, or an exceptionally long overcast period.
The 12 kilograms of ice now stored in the super-insulated refrigerator
section will keep the stored vaccines cold for approximately nine
days. If the system's batteries are low because of extremely bad
weather, this nine day period should be sufficient to let the batteries
recharge. Without ice storage, it would be necessary to purchase
additional batteries to maintain the vaccines during prolonged overcast
conditions.
DEFROSTING: A SIMPLE MATTER
When defrosting is needed, it is fast and easy. Just turn off the
refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Since ice forms only on the flat,
easily cleaned surfaces, it comes off in large pieces. There are
no irregular shapes and ducts to grip and hold the ice, and no water
to mop up.
RFVB - EFFICIENT
COOLING SYSTEM
The temperature of the refrigerator section is tightly controlled
for vaccine storage. The large capacity freezer section can produce
2 kilograms of ice per day in a 43° C (110° F) environment
running only 42% of the time. Ice is produced very efficiently in
the RFVB; only 6 amp. hours are typically consumed to produce one
kilogram of ice. Competing models use nearly twice as much energy
for ice production.
The evaporator design contributes significantly to the efficiency
of ice production. Containers being frozen make direct contact with
the evaporator molded into the floor of the freezer section. A second
evaporator in the ceiling of the freezer effectively cools the contents
of the freezer by convection.
In a chest type freezer, it is difficult to make direct contact
with the evaporator for effective conductive cooling. Also, in a
chest type freezer convection is less effective because the evaporator
cannot be mounted above the freezer.
The freezer section of the RFVB is isolated from the refrigerator
compartment by three inches of polyurethane insulation. This feature
prevents stored vaccines from being heated when warm water is placed
in the freezer, a problem in refrigerators of conventional design.
In addition to efficiency, the RFVB design offers convenience.
Stored vaccines are much more accessible than they are in chest
models. Health workers generally find the vertical design much more
acceptable.
SUN FROST refrigerators have proved themselves reliable. Over the
past 12 years they have been installed in over 50 developing countries
and have held up under the harshest conditions. For critical applications,
far from supporting infrastructure, from Borneo to Botswana, Sun
Frost refrigerators have delivered consistently dependable performance
day in and day out.
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Vaccine Storage Capacity 38.7 liters (as measured by the World Health
Organization)
Freezer volume 34 liters
(1.2 cu ft) 66 cm (26 in) wide x 10.2 cm (4 in) high
x 50.8 cm (20 in) deep
Refrigerator volume 55 liters
(1.8 cu ft) 66 cm (26 in) wide x 16.5 cm (6.5 in) high
x 50.8 cm (20 in) deep
The World Health Organization measures internal volume with specific
size containers & container spacing. Using that method, the
RFVB has a 38.7 liter capacity.
Shipping weight crated for export 91 kilograms (200 pounds)
Shipping volume crated for export 0.71 cubic meters (25 cubic feet)
Export crated dimensions 31" x 39" x 75" (stacked
2 high)
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
| Room Temperature |
21° C (70° F) |
32° C (90° F) |
43° C (110° F) |
| Energy Consumption (12 volt) |
13 amp hours/day |
24 amp hours/day
.32 kWh/day |
37 amp hours/day
.47 kWh/day |
Energy Consumption (12 volt)
making 2.2 kg ice/day |
|
36 amp hours/day
.44 kWh/day |
51 amp hours/day
.64 kWh/day |
| Refrigerator Temperature |
3° C (38° F) |
3° C (38° F) |
3° C (38° F) |
| Freezer Temperature |
-11° C (12° F) |
-9° C (15° F) |
-5° C (23° F) |
| Running Current |
4.5 amps for 12 volt system, 2.3 amps for 24 volt
system |
| Starting Current |
15 amps for 12 volt system, 7.5 amps for 24 volt
system |
| Wiring should be designed for 15 amp. load for
12 volt system, 7.5 amps for 24 volt system |
|