Use of Water from Air Conditioning Equipment for Non-Drinking Purposes: A Case Study at the Federal Institute of Pernambuco - Campus Afogados da Ingazeira

Due to population growth and economic development, freshwater consumption is increasing. Several regions of Brazil and the world face one of the biggest water crises, being necessary to create alternatives to avoid the waste of water. In this sense, the use of water from air conditioners is presented as a possible solution to reduce future environmental impacts. The present study aimed to study the feasibility of using non-potable water from air conditioning devices at the Federal Institute of Pernambuco (IFPE) - Campus Afogados da Ingazeira. For this, experimental research was used as a methodology, with an in loco view. Initially, a survey of the parameters that characterize air conditioners was carried out, such as: number of air conditioners per power; operating temperature; and number of hours of operation. Through a carbon dioxide meter model JD-112, the independent variables were collected: power (BTU); internal and external temperature in degrees Celsius (°C); relative indoor and outdoor air humidity in percentage (%); and internal and external carbon dioxide (CO2) in particles per million (p.p.m.). At the same time that this device was making the measurement, a bucket with a storage capacity of 20 liters was placed in the air conditioning drain, thus collecting its dependent variable, the flow in liters per hour. After registering the variables, a statistical inference was carried out with a multiple linear regression model using the least squares method, using the SISREG software (2019), in which a general regression equation was created, which can be estimated through the independent variables the hourly flow rate of condensed water. As a result, the average monthly flow of condensed water was estimated, which generated 38.599 liters, providing an average monthly savings with the cost of treated water at COMPESA of R$ 311,44. With this, the present study clearly demonstrates the great potential of using water from air conditioners, which cannot only be taken into account the economic factor, but associated with the environmental benefit brought by it, which is the basis of its elaboration.