Sustainable solutions for thermal energy saving in hospital operating theatres

¹ University of Extremadura, Graphical Expression Department, Badajoz, Spain
² University of Extremadura, Graphical Expression Department, Badajoz, Spain
³ University of Extremadura, Mechanical, Energy and Material Engineering Department, Mérida, Spain
⁴ University of Extremadura, Mechanical, Energy and Material Engineering Department, Badajoz, Spain

^* Corresponding author: jgsanz@unex.es

Abstract

Heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems in hospital operating theatres consume high amounts of energy, operate for long periods of time and provide high performance. For this reason, it is necessary to study their energy consumption and determine sustainable solutions that optimize their operation and improve their performance. In this paper, annual thermal energy consumption of a conventional operating theatre is evaluated. Potential energy savings is evaluated by maintaining an adequate indoor environmental quality for these rooms. In addition, how to minimize energy consumption depending on the air renewal flow rate used and installing a sensible heat recovery system was studied. Results show that energy demand of an operating room is reduced by 24.1% by recirculating 25% of air flow extracted from the room. Energy cost decreases 44.31% by increasing the recirculated air flow rate to 50% of the air flow extracted from the room.