Characterization and modeling of condensate released from air conditioner.

Abstract

The study assessed the variability in the physico-chemical, microbial and metallic constituents in condensate released from air conditioner. Four sampling points were randomly selected at the Federal University of Technology Minna, GidanKwano Campus, Niger State Nigeria. The collected samples of condensate were taken to the Federal Ministry of water Resources Regional Water Quality Laboratory Minna, for analysis after which a linear regression model was used to determine the discharge rate of condensate from air conditioner. The model was also applied to estimate the volume of water that could be collected from functional air conditioner in the study area. The laboratory analyzed results were compared with NSDWQ 2007/NESREA 2011 standards for water, the results from the laboratory analysis revealed that Lead and Carbonatewere not detected in the samples, while TDS, conductivity, dissolved oxygen and pH were detected to be 11.00±3.27 mg/l, 16.50±5.32μS/cm,7.16±0.04, and 7.16±0.04mg/l respectively in the samples which falls within the desired limit of standard. Results from the laboratory analysis revealed the amount of chromium, zinc, chloride, iron, sulphate and copper in the sample as 0.03 ±0.01mg/l, 0.12 ±0.15mg/l, 3.90 ±0.66mg/l, 0.03 ±0.02mg/l 4.25 ±1.71 mg/l and 0.14±0.09mg/l respectively, which does not exceed the maximum permissive limit of the NSDWQ 2007/NESREA 2011 standard for water.The concentration of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and total hardness in the sample were 1.00 ±0.00mg/l, 2.50 ±0.58mg/l, 4.30 ±0.88mg/l, 3.91 ±2.32mg/l, and 8.21±3.19mg/l respectively, which does not exceed the maximum permissive limit levels of the NSDWQ 2007/NESREA 2011 standard for water, It was established that the physico-chemical, microbial and metallic constituents of condensate released from air conditioner does not exceed the acceptable, desired and permissive limit of NSDWQ 2007/NESREA 2011 standard for water. Based on these findings, the study recommends that the water,which may not be suitable for drinking, could be used for domestic and industrial purposes such as toilet flushing, outdoor watering, cloth washing, car washing and cooling tower and not to be consumed due to insecticides and other environmental control chemicals sprayed in places, which could be sucked into the water from the air filter units of an air conditioner. A condensate collection line and tanks should be included in the plumbing design of a building to avoid stains on walls, and control the growth of fungi and other bacteria in the environment.