Lab scale development of DWHR units

The lab scale DWHR unit is used on the one hand to validate numerical models, in order to predict the operation and performance of larger scale units. And on the other hand to demonstrate and investigate the operating principles behind the heat recovery in a controlled environment, in order to assess the impact of different parameters by isolating them, and reproducing them outside of their occurrence conditions.

Integrating DWHR in kitchen grease traps

Commercial kitchens are characterized by high drain water temperatures, furthermore grease traps are mandatory in commercial kitchens. The idea behind the the lab work is to save space, and to save on the investment cost by integrating a heat exchanger in the grease trap. The lab scale unit will be used to investigate the efficiency and long term operation of such a system.

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Simulation of different designs

The results of the experiments will then be used to validate Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models of the grease trap and heat exchanger. These validated  models can then be used to simulate the operation of different designs of the heat exchanger, in order to optimize the performance.

From lab scale prototype to real world applications?

In order to show that the performance of the lab scale prototype is representative of the real world operations, one must ensure that the proposed prototype is modular and/or scalable, in such a way that the operation of the prototype in the controlled environment represents the operation in actual conditions. The reproducibility of the results must be demonstrated, and be tested under different (extreme circumstances).