Open AccessPrimary energy efficiency assessment of a coil heat recovery system within the air handling unit of an operating room
Author(s) -
Francisco Javier Rey Martı́nez,
Julio F. San José-Alonso,
E Velasco-Gómez,
Ana TejeroGonzález,
Paula M. Esquivias
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of physics. conference series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.21
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1742-6596
pISSN - 1742-6588
DOI - 10.1088/1742-6596/2069/1/012113
Subject(s) - fan coil unit , electromagnetic coil , primary energy , energy consumption , environmental science , heat recovery ventilation , energy recovery , thermal energy , energy balance , energy recovery ventilation , nuclear engineering , work (physics) , heat pump , ventilation (architecture) , energy (signal processing) , automotive engineering , heat exchanger , engineering , mechanical engineering , electricity , electrical engineering , thermodynamics , statistics , physics , mathematics
Heat recovery systems installed in Air Handling Units (AHUs) are energy efficient solutions during disparate outdoor-to-indoor temperatures. However, they may be detrimental in terms of a primary energy balance when these temperatures get closer, due to the decrease in the thermal energy recovered compared to the global energy consumption required for their operation. AHUs in surgical areas have certain particularities such as their continuous operation throughout the year, the large airflows supplied and the strict exigencies on the supply air quality, avoiding any cross contamination. This work presents the measurements and analysis performed on a coil heat recovery (run-around) loop system installed in the AHU that serves a mixed-air ventilation operating room in a Hospital Complex. A primary energy balance is studied, including the thermal and electric energy savings achieved, considering the electric energy consumption by the recirculation pump and the additional power requirements of fans due to the pressure drop introduced. The obtained value is then used to predict the thermal energy savings achieved by the heat recovery system. Results are extrapolated to the Typical Meteorological Year to provide an order of magnitude of the primary energy and CO2 emissions saved through the operation of the coil heat recovery system.