A/C condensate for water reuse: An approach towards environmental sustainability in Doha

Abstract

A/C Condensate is a relatively untapped alternative source of water that might be readily available especially in hot arid climates. The objective of this study is to establish the feasibility of the A/C condensate as the alternative source of water in the Qatar, where high economic growth and migrating population are posing challenge for the country to meet water demand in near future. The A/C condensate quantity and quality were evaluated for potential the water reuse. A computer simulation model based on psychometrics was developed to quantify the A/C condensate using relative humidity, dew point and temperature gradient of the outside and inside room conditions for unit mass of the dry air supply. Different A/C units were monitored for the actual condensate generation. The temperature, humidity, and the dew-point data were also recorded with data logger. The simulation model was calibrated using the observed data. The condensate quality was also analyzed for the parameters including the pH, EC, sulphate, nitrate, calcium, magnesium, chloride, and the heavy metals detection. The traces of the metals detected in the AC condensate include Zn and Cu. The experiment is the part of the ongoing experiment. A/C condensate quantity and quality and treatment impact will be discussed in this presentation.