Experimental and Numerical Investigations of Relative Humidity Characterstics in Hospitals

Abstract

The present work fosters mathematical modelling techniques to primarily predict the relative humidity characteristics in the air-conditioned surgical operating theatre. The pres ent work also demonstrates the effect of surgical operating theatre design and operational parameters on the flow pattern and temperatures. The present work is a part of a more comprehensive investigation of the more important factors affecting the air environments in surgical operating theatre. Measured and predicted relative humidity profiles are shown to be in good agreement. The present paper introduces several recommendations regardi ng the optimum design requirements of operating theatres to provide hygiene and comfort environment. From the obtained results, one can conclude that the airside designs have a st rong influence on the relative humidity distribution and consequently on the IAQ. The location of the supply outl ets plays the major role in his distribution. The extraction ports should be located in the right location to c orrect the errors of the bad selection of the supply outlet positions. Due to the architectural design restrict ions designers may be forced to incorporate several design alternatives .The restrictions enforced by the archit ectural and civil engineer to use a large ceiling supply area in the center of the room hinders the attainment of good i ndoor air \quality and comfort.