Collection of Condensate Water: Global Potential and Water Quality Impacts
Type
Article
KAUST Department
Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) DivisionChemical Kinetics & Laser Sensors Laboratory
Clean Combustion Research Center
Environmental Science and Engineering Program
Mechanical Engineering Program
Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) Division
Water Desalination and Reuse Research Center (WDRC)
Date
2012-12-28Online Publication Date
2012-12-28Print Publication Date
2013-03Permanent link to this record
http://hdl.handle.net/10754/562473Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Water is a valuable resource throughout the world, especially in hot, dry climates and regions experiencing significant population growth. Supplies of fresh water are complicated by the economic and political conditions in many of these regions. Technologies that can supply fresh water at a reduced cost are therefore becoming increasingly important and the impact of such technologies can be substantial. This paper considers the collection of condensate water from large air conditioning units as a possible method to alleviate water scarcity issues. Using the results of a climate model that tested data collected from 2000 to 2010, we have identified areas in the world with the greatest collection potential. We gave special consideration to areas with known water scarcities, including the coastal regions of the Arabian Peninsula, Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. We found that the quality of the collected water is an important criterion in determining the potential uses for this water. Condensate water samples were collected from a few locations in Saudi Arabia and detailed characterizations were conducted to determine the quality of this water. We found that the quality of condensate water collected from various locations and types of air conditioners was very high with conductivities reaching as low as 18 μS/cm and turbidities of 0. 041 NTU. The quality of the collected condensate was close to that of distilled water and, with low-cost polishing treatments, such as ion exchange resins and electrochemical processes, the condensate quality could easily reach that of potable water. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.Publisher
Springer NatureJournal
Water Resources ManagementScopus Count
Collections
Articles; Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) Division; Environmental Science and Engineering Program; Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) Division; Mechanical Engineering Program; Clean Combustion Research Center; Water Desalination and Reuse Research Center (WDRC)Related items
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