Experimental Development of the Horizontal Drain Water Heat Recovery Unit

Sabina Kordana-Obuch () and Mariusz Starzec
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Sabina Kordana-Obuch: Department of Infrastructure and Water Management, Rzeszow University of Technology, al. Powstańców Warszawy 6, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
Mariusz Starzec: Department of Infrastructure and Water Management, Rzeszow University of Technology, al. Powstańców Warszawy 6, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 12, 1-24

Abstract: The increase in energy demand, the scarcity of resources, as well as the adverse environmental impact of burning fossil fuels make it necessary to diversify the energy sources used. This also applies to the residential sector, which accounts for a significant proportion of global energy consumption. Particular attention should be paid to water heating, as the importance of this process in the energy balance of buildings is steadily increasing. One of the methods used to decrease energy consumption for heating water is to recover heat from greywater. However, commercially available horizontal drain water heat recovery (DWHR) units are characterized by low effectiveness, which creates a need for further research to improve it. The aim of the paper was to evaluate the possibility of improving the effectiveness of a circular horizontal DWHR unit through the use of baffles. Six different baffle models for installation in the greywater section of the heat exchanger were analyzed. The tests were conducted under the assumption of the installation of the DWHR unit on the horizontal shower waste pipe. They showed that the effectiveness of the unit equipped with baffles was higher by several to as much as 40% compared to the DWHR unit without baffles. This is tantamount to an increase in annual financial savings resulting from greywater heat recovery, as well as a reduction in CO 2 emissions into the atmosphere. However, it was not possible to clearly identify the optimum baffle model. In any case, the selection should consider the hydraulic conditions in the heat exchanger before installing the baffles. The results can provide guidance for companies interested in bringing new equipment and technologies to the market.

Keywords: domestic hot water; greywater; shower; energy consumption; CO 2 emission; energy efficiency; heat exchanger; waste heat (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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