Sistemas de Climatização como alternativa sustentável para implementação de ar-condicionado em âmbito hospitalar na cidade de São Luís-MA

Abstract

In the hospital setting, air conditioning systems can ensure thermal comfort and air quality, both beneficial for the health of patients and for the activities carried out by the healthcare team. The general objective of this research is to investigate the feasibility of implementing a sustainable air conditioning system, based on renewable energy, for the ICU at HUUFMA, in comparison with a conventional vapor compression system, through the energy simulation of each proposal. This is an applied research with a quantitative and exploratory approach, which initially identified the characterization of the constructive, thermohygrometric properties, and the solar positioning of the ICU in relation to the building. Subsequently, the thermal load calculation and energy analysis of both proposed systems were performed. The simulation of both systems considered energy efficiency, energy demand, and environmental impact. The results showed that the total thermal load calculation was 67.86 kW (19.3 TR), corresponding to the heat removal demand required for the ICU operation. Based on this demand, the energy simulation of the vapor compression chiller indicated a consumption of 732.96 kWh/day, with a refrigeration capacity of 87.92 kW (or 25 TR) and a coefficient of performance of 2.88 for a 24-hour operation. Meanwhile, the energy simulation of an absorption chiller was 246,093.80 kWh/year, with a refrigeration capacity of 88 kW (or 25 TR) and a coefficient of performance of 0.70 for a 6-hour operation. It is concluded that the absorption chiller air conditioning system has the potential to replace the vapor compression system during periods of high cooling demand, contributing to a reduction in CO2 emissions due to its activity.