Heat recovery from sewer water: trends and application

Wastewater discharged from domestic, industrial, and commercial developments carries substantial thermal energy that often goes unused. Inefficient drainage systems in many buildings lead to significant energy wastage. However, technologies such as heat exchangers and heat pumps offer the potential to capture and reuse this heat for heating purposes. This study presents a comprehensive literature review on wastewater heat recovery, focusing on different types of heat exchangers used in wastewater source heat pump applications. The review also delves into methods for modelling wastewater temperature dynamics,including the utilization of the Abdel Aal et al. Model and a comparison of the model with Tempest. By meticulously examining existing research, the study explores the impacts of wastewater heat recovery (WWHR). It concludes that wastewater heat recovery holds considerable promise in supplying clean energy, spanning from individual buildings to larger communities and districts. The paper provides an in-depth synthesis of the reviewed studies, offering valuable insights to guide future research endeavours.