Enhancing Energy Efficiency and Sustainability in Healthcare: Implementing a Heat Exchanger for Carbon Footprint Reduction

Master thesis (2023)

Authors

S.T. Alkemade Mechanical Engineering

Contributors

Tim Horeman Medical Instruments & Bio-Inspired Technology - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering (mentor)
Bart van Straten Medical Instruments & Bio-Inspired Technology - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering (graduation committee member)
Faculty
Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Copyright: © 2023 Selwin Alkemade
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Published Date

06-11-2023

Language

English

Reuse Rights

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Faculty

Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

This paper addresses the urgent need to optimize the GreenCycl facilities energy utilization, by harnessing heat from the effluent of three thermal washing-disinfection machines into the preheating of cold clean water. Currently for every washing-disinfection cleaning program, 60 times a week, 105 liters of water with a temperature of 60 \degree Celsius is discharged in the drain. This is not in line with the goals setup by the government and the mindset of GreenCycl.

The study begins with a comprehensive analysis of the current situation, while documenting the properties and conditions. Subsequently concepts are generated with help of a morphological chart and a Harris profile is employed to select the most promising concept, this is further elaborated. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are conducted to optimize the performance of the heat reclaiming system. Finally, the results of the CFD simulations are validated with experimental research.

By reintroducing 67\% of the effluent back into the heat exchange system, a continuous flow across the heat exchanger of 35 liters per minute can be established with an operation duration of 2.5 minutes per washing-disinfection machine. Resulting in the heat reclaiming system to only operate when cold clean water is flowing through the HEX. If implemented at the GreenCycl facility, this innovation could potentially save approximately 7600 kW of electrical energy and reduce Carbon Dioxide emission by 1129 kg annually.

This study not only addresses a pressing environmental concern but also offers an easy and efficient solution with significant economic and ecological benefits.

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