Optimization of a hospital room by means of CFD for more efficient ventilation

This paper analyses the ventilation airflow pattern in a two-bedded hospital room. The whole space of the room is divided in modules by means of curtains and internal partition walls. This configuration has many advantages from the point of view of comfort and medical assistance, but it implies an important restriction as far as ventilation is concerned. The ventilation system consists of an induction unit placed inside the hall ceiling blowing into the room and an exhaust fan in the bathroom. Numerical model solves mass, momentum and mean age of air equations assuming isothermal and stationary flow. Ventilation is evaluated analysing the age of air and the velocity fields inside the room. The results with the initial architectural design of the room show a very deficient ventilation at the patients site. Alternative configurations have been studied, allowing for correct ventilation without renouncing to the assistance advantages. Finally, the optimum configuration of the room is provided, regarding both the comfort of the patients and the cost of execution.