Recyclable Heat

Names: Amanda Chia Wan Ying, Mok Hui Min

School: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Tutors Name: Dr Carmel Heah
Date of Submission: 11.03.2015

Background
Water heaters and air conditioners are highly energy consuming and environmentally
unfriendly, yet widely used appliances in Singapore. An average family requires 3000 KWH
of electricity per year for water heating[1], releasing 6000 lbs of greenhouse gases. Heat
energy lost from air-conditioners which accounts for 50% of energy consumption [2] in
buildings is completely lost to the environment. If waste heat energy from air conditioners
can be recycled for water heaters, much energy and cost can be saved.
Problem
Current measures to recycle heat include the waste heat recovery boiler and the use of
chiller plants. However, the former requires a lot of equipment and space. Thus, it cannot be
used on a large scale in Singapore. [3] The latter makes use of the change in seasons and thus
cannot be used in Singapore.[4] Thus, the development of a recyclable heat system that is
feasible in Singapores climate is needed.
Solution
We propose building Waste Heat Recovery Units that channel waste heat from air
conditioners to water heaters in the same building. The refrigerant compressor of the air
conditioner will be connected to a system of pipes that allows the transfer of heat energy
using Freon (a volatile coolant) from air conditioners to water heaters instead of releasing it
as waste heat.

: Path of Freon

Condenser &
water heater

Pressured
and
heated hot Freon
Vapour

Compressor

Expansion Valve

High Pressured
Cool Liquid Freon
Distribution of heated
water

Shower

Figure 1: Diagram of how Recyclable Heat will work in hotels

Cooled Freon
travelling as
Low Pressure
Cool Liquid

Heated Low
Pressured Freon
Vapour

Air
Conditioner

Benefits
This allows for significant reduction in energy consumption as energy only needs to be
generated once to power both air conditioners and water heaters. Furthermore, heat can be
recycled from the use of appliances in-situ, reducing the loss of heat energy by allowing heat
to be transferred between appliances efficiently.
Implementation
Waste Heat Recovery units can be first used at small hotels due to their wide usage of airconditioners and water heaters. Feedback on whether the heat generated by air conditioners
heats the water sufficiently can be gathered.
Cost/Budget
S/

Items

Cost (S$)

N
1
2.
4.
5.

Installation of Piping and valves

Condenser and Water Heater
Pumps
Materials and Supplies (e.g. fittings, fasteners and mounting

5000
50000
20000
5000

hardware)
Total

80000

Conclusion
With the wide usage of air-conditioners in Singapores hot and humid environment, recycling
waste heat will greatly reduce the carbon footprint.

References

1) Martin Nicholson, (2009). Energy in a Changing Climate. 1st ed. Australia:

Rosenburg Publishing Pty Ltd.
2) Singapores Second National Communication: Under the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (November 2010), NEA

3) Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA), Ministry of Petroluem. Fuel

Economy in Furnaces and Waste heat recovery. Industrial Booklet 5. 1998
4) Beyene, A. San Diego State Univ. (1995). Performance evaluation of conventional
chiller systems.