Experimental Investigation of Solar Powered Steam Sterilizer for Remote Area Health Centers

Abstract

Efficient Medical Equipment Sterilization Is A Major Challenge In Rural Areas Of Developing Countries Due To Limited Access To Electricity And Modern Technologies. In Ethiopia, Where 76.84% Of The Population Lives In Rural Areas (World Bank, 2023). Most Clinics Rely On Fossil Fuels, Which Are Costly, Environmentally Harmful, And Often Difficult To Access Consistently. To Address This Challenge, Alternative Solar-Powered Steam Sterilizer Was Developed And Tested. Designed To Meet The Average Daily Demand Of Rural Health Centers, It Has 10-Liter Sterilization Chamber Capable Of Handling Around 5.5 Kg Of Equipment Per Cycle. The Experiment Is Conducted With Different Load And Weather Condition During No-Load Tests The Target Temperature And Pressure Was Achieved Within 30 Minutes, While Full-Load Tests Reached 121??C And 2 Bar In 52 Minutes, With A Total Sterilization Cycle Of 1 Hour And 20 Minutes. Relatively Low Solar Intensity Conditions Extended The Time To Reach Sterilization Temperature To Around One Hour. The Optimum Tilt Angle Of Kobo Was Determined Which Resulting Monthly Radiation Gain Up To 15%. Calculated Solar Radiation Result Was Compared With Nasa Dataset Showed ?? 2 % Error. A Comparative Cost-Benefit Assessment Showed That Although The Initial Investment In The Solar Sterilization System Is Higher, It Offers Significant Long-Term Advantages In Cost-Effectiveness, Sustainability, And Off-Grid Accessibility Compared To Electricity And Fossil Fuel, These Results Demonstrate The System?�?S Viability.