A research study (6 credits) submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Environment, Resources and Development

Research Studies Project Report (M. Eng..) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1987

A study on energy uses in the Faculty of Tropical Medicine (TropMed ) , a teaching and research centre and 160-bed hospital was conducted. Energy audit for the electrical systems was carried out in main buildings of the Faculty. Monthly and daily electricity consumption profiles for each building are shown. Breakdowns of electrical energy usage in various energy systems are presented. The three main energy consuming systems are the air-conditioning, the power and electrical equipment, a nd the lighting systems . The percentages of electrical energy contributed by these systems are 59%, 27% and 14% respectively. The monthly electrical energy usage and cost indices for each building are presented to compare the effectiveness of the energy usage . For the Academic Building, the TropMed energy2 index is about 11.15 kWh/m while that of AIT is only 3.09 kWh/m . The index of the TropMed hospital laboratories and wards is compared with Bumrungrad Hospital's index. The indices of both are about 5 and 70 kWh/in-patient day respectively. For more accurate comparison, the number of out-patients in the hospital are also taken into account. The index estimated based on an equivalent in-patient day of the TropMed hospital is about 3.12. The opportunities for electrical energy conservation in various systems are identified and analysed. For the lighting system, the electrical energy saving can be achieved by replacing incandescent lamps by fluorescent tubes or SL lamps, and by substitution of lower wattage of fluorescent tubes. The possible saving is approximately 55,200 - 66,600 ·Baht/year and the payback period is within 1 or 2 years depending on the conservation measures taken . For the power and electrical equipment system, conservation measure by power factor improvement gives the saving of at least 71,200 Baht/year with the payback period of 19 months . The performances of the air-conditioning systems in the main buildings are also analysed. The window-type air condi ti.oners have lower coefficients of performance (COP ) , ranged from 0.5 to 2 . 2, when compare d to the central air-conditioning system with a COP of 3.0, used in a private hospital. The energy conservation of air-conditioning sys tern can be achieved through a suggested maintenance program.