Analysis of intelligent solar ICU water ambulance to optimize energy

Abstract

To enhance health and medical facilities, some authorities have recently introduced an emergency special water vehicle known as a ‘water ambulance’. This vehicle is distinct for remote areas. To operate the ambulance service, environmental issues and energy resources have become major concerns. This is a scope of research to address the issues. First, the possibility of using solar energy as the sole power source for a vessel is a perfect solution to these issues. Second, solar vessels operate everywhere without polluting the environment. In addition, another contribution of the research is to integrate a control unit in a water ambulance which is called an ‘intelligent unit’. This unit will prioritize the source of energy to ensure uninterrupted power to emergency medical equipment and ambulances. This paper proposes a dynamic design of a solar water ambulance that is subject to replacing small conventional fuel-run watercraft vehicles.

Highlights

• •Usage of solar energy as the power source for a Solar ICU water ambulance is a perfect solution to meet power crisis.
• •Solar water ambulance operates everywhere without polluting the environment.
• •Another feature of the research is to integrate a control unit in a water ambulance which is called an ‘intelligent unit’.
• •An algorithm is developed for ‘intelligent unit’. This intelligent unit will prioritize the source of energy to ensure uninterrupted power to emergency medical equipment and ambulances.
• •Dynamic analysis of a solar ICU water ambulance has been developed in this research.

1. Introduction

Developing a water ambulance that is run by solar power would be a great contribution. This demand arises from the awareness that protecting the environment of waterways is a major issue in certain areas of the world. With this positive growth from a medical perspective, the potential development of a water vehicle that works on clean energy has emerged. Patients in each and every corner of the country can now avail of the services of a water ambulance in times of need. This proposed design will be a proper reference for designing a solar ambulance, where the application range would vary from small to big vessels for medical purposes. There are some remote areas that are surrounded by rivers. Owing to the lack of an equipping hospital in the village, people living here have to use the river to get to medical centres in other places. Water ambulances; have begun a new ambulance service in the area. The boat ambulance can reach patients within 24 h and take them to the nearest headquarters hospital within minutes. It is armed with medical facilities such as oxygen and emergency medicine. Water ambulance currently operate in remote areas with conventional fuel [1]. But this could be an environmental issue. This project allowed the researcher to develop a system to address this newly created challenge. This research developed a solar-run water ambulance, resulting in no need to think about refilling with fuel in remote areas or having environmental issues due to conventional fuel.

There are some gaps in previous research. In this paper some innovation is introduced to minimize the gap. A programmable unit named an ‘‘intelligent unit’ is integrated in this ambulance. This unit ensures an uninterrupted power supply. The first priority is solar as a source of energy [2]. Solar runs some auxiliaries of the ambulance such as security lights, air cooling systems etc., and, most importantly, emergency medical equipment. If solar energy system fails to run, the unit ensures an alternate source as energy. Additionally, this intelligent unit is connected to the central data base of the health directorate. In times of severe condition, expert doctors can be connected directly to the ambulance for online treatment. Onboard authorized doctors will be assisted by online expert doctors. All ICUs in the country are also interlocked with this unit. This unit also indicates the nearest vacant ICU to the ambulance. This intelligent unit itself can diagnose and solve some troubles with the ambulance. Technology experts continuously monitor all technical specifications of the ambulance through this unit. Full-time health and expert workers will maintain the ambulance. The ambulances are to go under regular diagnosis for trouble shooting.

2. Materials and methods

Compared with the traditional propulsion system, the water ambulance intelligent solar system has many advantages and economic benefits in ambulance design, propulsion performance, manufacturing and maintenance [3]. It has a high promotion value in many water ambulances and commercial ships compared with traditional ships. The project uses windsurfing and photovoltaic technology to provide green energy for ambulance's travel. It has a high promotional value in the waters of urban reservoir areas [4]. When the sail is assisted, the windward angle of attack is adaptive, and the maximum beneficial windward area is maintained at any time to achieve the purpose of assisting the ambulance. When the light energy utilization effect is good, the photovoltaic power generation area is expanded by the wind and light conversion device. The angular adaptive control system controls the sail to automatically turn to the maximum face-up surface, increasing its power generation efficiency, thereby achieving the purpose of propelling the cruise ambulance [5,6]. Compared with traditional electric cruise ambulance s, a rough estimate can increase endurance by 60% and maximum speed by 30%. The energy acquired by the ambulance intelligent solar system and the way it is acquired are clean and pollution free. With the increasing requirements of international laws and regulations on the greening of ambulances, the effective use of clean ocean energy can reduce the discharge of pollutants from ambulances [7] make full use of natural resources, reduce energy consumption, and save costs. It also avoids the risk of polluting urban waters after an ambulance accident. In addition, this solar energy system can be improved to provide auxiliary power and daily electricity for more ambulance types [8]. Electrical power supply is a crucial element in the success and quality of EMS cares [9]. Nearly all ambulance components rely on electricity to function. These components include all ambulance lights, communication systems, rescue equipment, and temperature control units.

2.1. Components of the system

There are some basic components of solar water ambulances. A solar panel converts solar energy into electrical energy. The charge controller (Fig. 1) controls the output and safety of the system.

Fig. 1.

Controller of the solar energy system.

In some circumstances, a patient receiving care may require the use of several medical devices, a variety of lighting instruments, and some form of temperature control running all at the same time [10]. Therefore, by individually detailing each form of power consumption and obtaining its electrical requirements, we provide the necessary information to analyse the ambulances total power consumption [11]. To further understand the power consumed within an ambulance a general breakdown of the primary components used in each of these categories can be seen in Fig. 2. The lighting component includes interior lights for the patient compartment as well as for the driver's cabin, while the outdoor headlights include emergency headlights and standard ambulance headlights [12]. Communication can be broken down into the exterior public siren, ambulance intercom system, and two-way radio used to communicate with other ambulances and base. Temperature control is divided into heating, cooling, and ventilation for both the patient and driver's cabin [13] (see Fig. 4).

Fig. 2.

Details of medical component list with load analysis.

Fig. 4.

Flow chart of the mechanism of the system.

2.2. Load Analysis

Finally, a ramification of scientific medical equipment or gadgets is powered using either patient bay outlets or outside outlets. The breakdown of power consumers within an ambulance leads to a further detailed, numerical representation to visually see the distribution of power [14,15].

2.3. Details of the design

In an attempt to safely manage the power needed to supply all the necessary lifesaving rescue equipment, the total power consumption, in Watts, was compiled. In order to compile all the information for this chart, each device and light were individually analysed [[16], [17], [18]].

2.4. Electrical system

An ambulance has several different configurations that generate, supply, and distribute electrical power to all of an ambulance's components (Fig. 3). These systems include the battery, 12 V DC electrical systems, and 125 V AC systems [[19], [20], [21]]. Each of these is utilised in different ways to effectively power the lights, temperature control, and rescue equipment. Additionally, they all have specific criteria based on the latest NFPA 2017 standards [[22], [23], [24]]. Understanding how these systems distribute power and the guidelines that govern them are important when considering the integration of a new power system. The remainder of this section will introduce the notable aspects of each system and clarify which electrical components within an ambulance rely on which system for operation [[25], [26], [27]].

Fig. 3.

Water ambulance design.

2.5. Rescue equipment

All ambulances have a standard set of equipment (Fig. 2) that must be onboard [[28], [[29], [30]]. This list was established after the Committee on Trauma (COT), the American College of Surgeons (ACS), and the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) collaborated and created a joint document in 2000. This list was later revised by the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP) in 2005. This list of equipment can be broken down into the following categories: Basic Life Support (BLS) Ambulances, Advanced Life Support (ALS) Ambulances, and optional equipment [31].

2.6. Communication system

All ambulances have stern radio provisions. Ambulances must be provided with sufficient ventilated space for a two-way radio, which includes convenience features, antenna openings, ground plane, and terminal wiring for 12-V power and ground [32,33].

2.7. Lighting – interior and exterior

Considered one of an ambulance's maximum great capabilities and important power consumers is its big array of lighting fixtures [34,35]. Whether or not it is the emergency lighting fixture system, trendy midnight headlights, or indoors affected person cabin lighting fixtures, lighting fixtures prove to be an indispensable component of this project's attention.

2.8. Air conditioning

Specifically, the engine should start without the use of external power or starting fluids. The heater in each compartment should raise the thermocouple temperature to a minimum of 68 °F (24 °C) within 30 min from 0 °F (−18 °C) [36].

3. Results

There are some improvements to our project compared to previous relative projects. Programmable logic is used here to operate the ambulance. Flow charts and corresponding coding are mentioned here. This makes the research unique.

Logic-1 (Energy Priority):

Coding for the mechanism of the system.

3.1. Design of intelligent unit

The main innovation of this solar-run water ambulance to optimum energy consumption in an efficient way is this ‘intelligent unit’. The whole water ambulance will be controlled by this unit. When, solar is available, this unit will operate the ambulance's total system of the ambulance with solar energy [37]. However, the main priority is medical equipment. If solar is not available then next suitable source will be activated like battery or diesel. Dynamic logic control is storied inside the unit. The display and control panel are outside of the panel. The full control system is on this screen (Fig. 5). Total consumption, available energy, and everything is seen on this screen.

Fig. 5.

Design of intelligent unit of water ambulance.

As it is new age of environmentally friendly technology, while maximizing efficiency, it is important to reduce the burden on the environment [[38], [39], [40]]. By implementing the methods of improvement, the proposed medical ambulances will provide numerous benefits in mobile healthcare and accident survival rates, while reducing carbon emissions and saving energy (Fig. 6). By looking through each specific category of energy consuming devices onboard an ambulance, a complete understanding of the electrical systems involved was developed [41,42]. These categories were broken down further to investigate the purposes of each component and the role they play in mobile medical emergencies. By analysing power consumption with regards to importance and applicability in emergency situations, the most vital components were separated from those that are not as critical. Following this, suggestions were made on preventing power failure in aspects of operation that are most critical. The initial investment in solar water ambulances is higher than for conventional ambulances but after that, the rest of the operational life cycle of a solar water ambulance has less operational costs than the conventional ambulance.

Fig. 6.

Final steps of the intelligent solar ICU water ambulance.

After understanding how the production and consumption of electrical systems function, the development of innovative solutions can be implemented. Using solutions to increase production or reduce consumption, a model for a more efficient and effective ambulance could be established. By researching various options to complete this task, it has become clear that some options are more suitable than others [43]. The balance of applicability, ease of implementation, cost, effectiveness, practicality, and necessity had to be considered, while deciding which systems would be most appropriate. A comparative study was conducted on the ambulance's power consumption and power production. The power output was researched and presented in detail, to obtain suggestions for the distribution of power. The typical ambulance power system was termed obsolete, and archaic, considering the numerous alternative options available.

4. Conclusions

The design of a solar water ambulance for patient delivery alongside the coast, inside the rivers, and within the lakes has been presented. With this research, it is quite possible to replace the standard conventional engine with an electric one, by accepting loss in electricity, and without converting the load and the size of the boat. This is a great achievement. This water ambulance has more prices in assessment than an equal boat geared up with traditional propulsion. Currently there are greater prices for manufacturing water ambulances because of photovoltaic plants, battery installations and control devices. However, there are still some findings as to why conventional ambulances should be replaced by this type of ambulance. Above additional expenses are partially compensated with the aid of discount of operation prices; in a water ambulance there may be no intake of gas, and the maintenances fees are fantastically decreased. In water ambulances, the initial extra price is also very low. In addition, the high-quality gain of using renewable energy produces oblique socio-financial benefits; eco machine protection, reduction of co2, nox, and sox emissions, etc. In this paper, we propose a modern solar water ambulance. In this study, the solar energy system was optimized. The designed ambulance contributes zero pollution and has very low going for walk costs; all of the vital energy for navigation has renewable origins. Energy produced by using photovoltaics is more secure and more environmentally benign than traditional energy resources. However, there are environmental, safety, and health problems associated with manufacturing, using, and eliminating photovoltaic devices. The production of electronic equipment is extensive. The power produced is higher than the one important to manufacture the photovoltaic modules and the energy destroy-even point is generally reached in a period of three to six years. This developed water ambulance should be practiced immediately in this industry.

Provenance and peer review

Not commissioned, externally peer reviewed.

Sources of funding

Self-Funded

Ethical approval

Research is no concerned with a specific patient. It is research about technology of treatment.

Consent

Not required as research is no concerned with a specific patient. It is research about technology of treatment.

Author contribution

Author: Tawheed Hasan-

(Experiment, study concept, design, data collection, data analysis, writing the paper etc).

Co-Authors:

i. Dr. Shahrizan Jamaludin,

ii. Prof. Dr. WB Wan Nik.

Supervisors of this research, who guided the research directly.

Contributors: Prof. Dr. Rizwan Khan.

Co- Supervisor of this research, who is also assisting the practical experiments.

Registration of research studies

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Guarantor

Tawheed Hasan-

Dr. Shahrizan Jamaludin.

Prof. Dr. WB Wan Nik.

Declaration of competing interest

Authors do not have any conflict of interest.