Development of a Calibrated Simulation Method for Airborne Particles to Optimize Energy Consumption in Operating Rooms

Lara Febrero-Garrido, José Luis López-González, Pablo Eguía-Oller and Enrique Granada-Álvarez
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Lara Febrero-Garrido: Defense University Center, Spanish Naval Academy, Plaza de España, s/n, 36920 Marín, Spain
José Luis López-González: SERGAS, Xunta de Galicia, Edificio Administrativo San Lázaro, s/n, 15703 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Pablo Eguía-Oller: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Heat Engines and Fluid Mechanics, Industrial Engineering School, University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
Enrique Granada-Álvarez: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Heat Engines and Fluid Mechanics, Industrial Engineering School, University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 12, 1-19

Abstract: Operating rooms are stringent controlled environments. All influential factors, in particular, airborne particles, must be within the limits established by regulations. Therefore, energy efficiency stays in the background, prioritizing safety and comfort in surgical areas. However, the potential of improvement in energy savings without compromising this safety is broad. This work presents a new procedure, based on calibrated simulations, that allows the identification of potential energy savings in an operating room, complying with current airborne particle standards. Dynamic energy and airborne particle models are developed and then simulated in TRNSYS and calibrated with GenOpt. The methodology is validated through experimental contrast with a real operating room of a hospital in Spain. A calibrated model with around 2% of error is achieved. The procedure determines the variation in particle concentration according to the flow rate of ventilation supplied and the occupancy of the operating room. In conclusion, energy savings up to 51% are possible, reducing ventilation by 50% while complying with airborne particles standards.

Keywords: energy consumption; airborne particles; operating room; TRNSYS; GenOpt; calibrated simulations (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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