Three-Dimensional Flow Regimes and Heat Transfer Characteristics in Surgical Operating Theatre

Abstract

Introduction Air conditioning implies the conditioning of airflow and heat transfer characteristics, temperatures, humidity, and dust level inside an enclosed space. The conditions to be maintained are dictated by the function of the conditioned space; therefore air conditioning embraces more than cooling or heating. Comfort air conditioning is defined as "the process of treating air to control simultaneously its temperature, humidity, cleanliness, and distribution to meet the comfort requirements of the occupants of the conditioned space.", ASHRAE [1]. Air conditioning therefore includes the regulation of velocity, thermal radiation, quality of air, and removal of foreign particles and vapors, Stoecker [2]. The human body is an amazingly adaptable organism as it can still function under extreme thermal conditions. Variations in climatic conditions, namely, temperature and humidity, however, often go beyond the normal limits of adaptability, and it becomes necessary to provide adjustable indoor conditions in order to maintain a healthy, comfortable environment, Stoecker [2]. Human comfort depends on the thermal characteristics of the surrounding environment and air velocity, also depends mainly, among previous factors, on the humidity. Thermal comfort is generally associated with a neutral body thermal sensation, Berglund [3], which in turn depends on thermal balance, metabolism and clothing. It is imperative that all attempts should be focussed on assuring the satisfaction of the required balance of rate of water loss from human body and surrounding air. Air movement in a room, therefore, becomes of vital importance to comfort, Khalil [4]. The healthcare requirements in residential applications differ basically from those applied to medical applications. No area of the hospital requires more careful control of the aseptic conditions of the environment than

Verification of numerical prediction of 3-D air-conditioned flow behavior in full and reduced scale room models

“…Grids of 80 x 60 x 30 are used, Kameel [13]. The present section describes the numerical results obtained with the aid of 3DHV AC program developed to predict the flow behavior under various geometrical and operating conditions.…”