Using heat pipe heat exchangers for reducing energy consumption of treating ventilation air in an operating theatre in a tropical climate: a simplified model

Abstract

This study applies the software package Transient Systems Simulation Program (TRNSYS), to estimate the air state and the energy consumption of a typical operating theatre located in a tropical building. For the simulation, typical meteorological year (TMY) data for the Kuala Lumpur area (Malaysia), and an operating theatre located in the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) (Kuala Lumpur), are used. The current heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system for the operating theatre was found to be inherently energy-inefficient and could be improved with heat pipe heat exchangers (HPHXs). The impact on energy consumption of a custom-built air handler unit (AHU) was simulated with one or two 6-row HPHXs installed in the HVAC system, compared to a pre-cooling heat exchanger installed in the same system. Based on this investigation, it is recommended that a double HPHX system (Plant C) be applied in tropical HVAC systems for the reduction of energy consumption and dehumidification enhancement. Practical Applications: The analysis described in this paper enables necessarily comparison between possible HVAC system types on the year-round impact on energy consumption and dehumidification in an operating theatre located in a tropical area to be predicted before actual retrofitting is done to the space’s conditioning system. The results of this work could be used as a general guide for mechanical and electrical (M&E) engineers and researchers who are intending to apply HPHXs as ‘coolness’ recovery and dehumidification devices in HVAC systems operating in tropical countries, particularly, HVAC systems operating in hospital environments.