Air Conditioner Condensate Recapture

[GARRIGA]

Randy,

My new AC sits almost directly above the location for my upcoming build. Couldn't I recapture the condensate by running it through RODI? Trying to be creative in my limited space to provide easy access to clean top off. System is new and don't expect leakage of fluids but expect perhaps some from metal although these days these units are built of aluminum and no copper plumbing. Waste water can be fed back to the condensate pump and pushed out doors.
Can run a separate pump with adequate pressure for the separate RODI, if needed.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I see no chemistry problem sending it into an ro/di, or just di alone (no pressure needed).

 

[stoney7713]

That condensate is clean water but the area it comes from is never cleaned or sterile. Bacteria and mold might be an issue.

 

[GARRIGA]

I see no chemistry problem sending it into an ro/di, or just di alone (no pressure needed).

That’s what I was thinking as well. Bypass the membrane and avoid the concern of dealing with waste water return.

 

[radreef02]

That condensate is clean water but the area it comes from is never cleaned or sterile. Bacteria and mold might be an issue.

Working in AC, I wouldn’t. Without proper measures to clean it

 

[GARRIGA]

That condensate is clean water but the area it comes from is never cleaned or sterile. Bacteria and mold might be an issue.

I can solve that with UV AOP or perhaps ultrafiltration. Latter easier to implement if I forego the membrane as Randy suggested.

 

[stoney7713]

Working in AC, I wouldn’t. Without proper measures to clean it

Do you all still use leaded solder and such? Other heavy metals that could be present through corrosion?

 

[GARRIGA]

Working in AC, I wouldn’t. Without proper measures to clean it

Curious what contaminants produced. I’m more familiar with dehumidifiers and assumed similar run off

 

[radreef02]

Do you all still use leaded solder and such? Other heavy metals that could be present through corrosion?

probably too many variables to know what’s possible , could do a test on it to check for metals etc. wouldn’t be sure about the mold/bacteria side either. Most water will have chlorine in it for that reason

 

[areefer01]

What about metals? NM! I see it was already mentioned :)