Modeling of waste heat recovery system and outdoor swimming pool : Waste heat from hotel kitchen recovered by heat exchanger transferred to pool

Sammanfattning: This project was performed to evaluate if waste heat from hotel kitchens is enough to heat outdoor swimming pools in southern Europe or if it can be used as a compliment to another heat source. Another aim was to analyze the simulations and calculations of the pools and the heat recovery system. Then estimate how much annual costs would be reduced when using the exhaust air in the heat recovery system, in comparison with the original heating system. If the project showed positive results the purpose was to select a waste heat recovery system that can integrate with Ozonetech’s ozone generator, keep a high temperature in the pool and reduce emissions of greenhouse gas by using waste heat. Ozonetech would also conduct a pilot study in Stockholm and eventually develop their own product. A simulation model of three different outdoor pool sizes were conducted. The models were constructed and meshed in COMSOL Multiphysics. Average weather conditions for Malaga, Spain, were implemented in the model. The models were simulated by integrating each physical phenomenon in COMSOL, by using the Multiphysics interface. This created convection, emitted radiation and evaporation as thermal heat losses from the pool models. The pools were simulated to determine heating demand, heating period and required inlet temperature to make up for thermal heat losses. A mathematical model of the thermal heat losses and gains were conducted to easily receive a result for the heat demand each month of the year. A mathematical model of the possible heat recovery from hotel kitchens were performed to determine heat recovery for various kitchen sizes. By knowing the heat demand and possible heat recovery from different kitchens, a heat exchanger was selected. The heat exchanger was selected based on literature review, requirements and discussions with manufacturers. A life cycle cost analysis and calculated payback time compared original heating systems with new heat recovery system. A sensitivity analysis using Gauss error propagation concluded the project. The simulations showed that all investigated outdoor pools require additional heat during the night, due to extensive heating periods. Since the kitchen is only active during the day, the pool requires an additional heat source during the night. This conclude that the new heat exchanger only can replace the original heating system during the day. The mathematical model of the heat transfer from the kitchen determined that the maximum heat capacity approximately is 350 kW ± 10.5 kW. The waste heat can only be used to heat small and medium sized pools, since the heat loss is too great for a large pool. Selected air to water heat exchanger that meets the requirements is an air cooler with finned tubes from Alfa Laval. The fins and the coil should be treated to form an e-coat. After calculating the life cycle cost it was determined not profitable to replace a heat pump for a small pool, since the life cycle cost was greater for the new heating system. However, it is profitable to replace an electric heater with the new heat exchanger together with three of the smallest ozone generators during the day, for a small pool. Costs will be reduced by 44 600 – 202 000 kr ± 5%. Payback time will be 2.4 – 3.2 years ± 9%. It is also profitable to replace a water to water heat exchanger heated with either electricity or oil, during the day, with the new heat exchanger combined with either of the ozone generators for a small pool. Costs will be reduced by 310 000 – 698 000 kr ± 5%. Payback time will be 1.8 – 2.5 years ± 9%. It is profitable to replace all original heating systems during the day with the new heat exchanger combined with either of the ozone generators for medium sized pools. Costs will be reduced by 689 000 – 12 600 000 kr ± 5%. Payback time will be 2.2 – 22 months ± 7%.