Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
264322 Energy and Buildings 2011 12 Pages PDF
Abstract

Research was conducted to study the effect of heat pipe heat exchangers on the existing air conditioning system of a hospital ward located in Malaysia, a tropical region. The present research employs the transient system simulation software (TRNSYS) to study the hour-by-hour performance of the system in terms of supply duct air and indoor air conditions in the ward space. Fieldwork study showed that the existing air conditioning system operating in the Orthopaedic Ward, University of Malaya, Malaysia is not capable of providing the desired supply duct air and indoor air to the space. Therefore, the possibility of improving the air conditioning system by adding heat pipe heat exchangers was investigated. The impact on energy consumption, power savings, supply duct air and indoor air with heat pipe heat exchangers incorporated in the air conditioning system were simulated and the results were compared with the existing system.Based on the present research, the system with the added eight-row heat pipe heat exchangers is recommended to provide convenient and healthy air into the ward space according to the ASHRAE recommendations. Moreover, it was found that by applying the new design, a considerable amount of energy and power could be saved.

► The HPHXs were examined in the air conditioning system of a tropical building. ► TRNSYS software was used for the simulation of the existing and new design systems. ► HPHXs improve the supply and indoor air condition. ► Provided air condition by the added eight-row HPHXs is the most convenient condition. ► By application of the HPHXs, vast amount of energy and cost could be saved.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Energy Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
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