Appraisal of Air-Conditional System Condensate Discharge Rate in Southwest, Nigeria

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this research is to ascertain the condensate discharge rate from a split air conditional system with a view to channelling the condensate into a storage tank for other useful purposes. Study Design: Quantitative study. Relevant data on condensate discharge rate was collected. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria, between 16th to the 22nd of November, 2015. Methodology: The method used consists of data collection and readings such as outdoor dry bulb temperature, dew point temperatures, relative humidity, and condensate volume. It features the calculation of air conditioning load estimation, data analysis, and estimated cost of integrating condensate collection which is essential for the completion of this study. Results: The study discovered that about three thousand four hundred and eighty-eight (3,488) litres of condensate is being wasted on a weekly basis within the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology, The Federal University of Technology, Akure. This figure indicates the amount of reclaimed water source that is not in use. Conclusion: The condensate can/should be collected with the help of a 2hp capacity pump and channelled through a pipe of diameter 32 mm into a 5000 litres capacity tank within the engineering building. The condensate can flow through the existing plumbing facilities and will serve to address a lot of water scarcities being experienced, most especially in many laboratories, toilets and by cleaners at the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology Building. This will reduce the cost being spent per month on water supply by the faculty and would result in great annual savings.