Condensate - Revision history

Vngo36: /* Spring 2026 */

2026-04-27T22:28:11Z

Spring 2026

Vngo36: /* Spring 2026 */

2026-04-27T22:21:27Z

Spring 2026

Vngo36: /* Spring 2026 */

2026-04-27T22:20:04Z

Spring 2026

Vngo36: /* Spring 2026 */

2026-04-27T22:19:59Z

Spring 2026

Vngo36: /* Spring 2026 */

2026-04-27T22:19:47Z

Spring 2026

Vngo36 at 22:16, 27 April 2026

2026-04-27T22:16:30Z

Aschilling8: /* General Methodology */

2020-04-21T16:27:35Z

General Methodology

Aschilling8 at 16:26, 21 April 2020

2020-04-21T16:26:56Z

Aneely8: /* System Specifics */

2020-04-21T16:03:46Z

System Specifics

Aneely8: /* Introduction */

2020-04-21T16:02:32Z

Introduction

@@ Line 63: / Line 63: @@
 == Spring 2026 ==
-Summary
+'''Summary'''
 The Kendeda building at Georgia Tech is known as a "living building," reusing each energy source it obtains to support itself and the local ecosystem. We will experiment with Kendeda's HVAC condensate water as a renewable source to irrigate local plants and organisms. Tests have been made comparing HVAC condensate water to WHO drinking water standards, which analyze that condensate may be safely used by humans (Elbrashy et. al., 2025).  However, due to the metal condensate system, there have been concerns of ion presence, pH change, hardness alterations, and bacterial growth that may affect the quality of condensate water. Hardness can be defined as the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water. We will measure these compared to the hose water currently used for irrigation at Kendeda.
-Hypothesis/Research Question
+'''Hypothesis/Research Question
-Does filtered HVAC condensate, considering potential metal contamination and pH variability, provide sufficient water quality to support duckweed growth comparable to conventional water sources such as hose water? If the HVAC condensate contains higher water hardness than the control (hose water), then duckweed (Lemna Minor) grown in the HVAC condensate will exhibit reduced growth and increased yellowing/discoloration due to the effects of hardness on nutrient availability and plant health.
+'''Poster'''
-Poster
+[[File:Spring2026WaterQualityFinalPoster.jpeg|thumb|Final Poster for Condensate/Water Quality Team (Max Ngo, Menaka Garapaty, Calliope Cooper, Izzy Vruno, and Jenny Hu)]]
 == Literature ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:21, 27 April 2026
Line 72:		Line 72:

	Poster		Poster
−
−	~~[[File:Spring2026FinalPoster\|thumb]]~~

	== Literature ==		== Literature ==

@@ Line 64: / Line 64: @@
 == Spring 2026 ==
 Summary
 The Kendeda building at Georgia Tech is known as a "living building," reusing each energy source it obtains to support itself and the local ecosystem. We will experiment with Kendeda's HVAC condensate water as a renewable source to irrigate local plants and organisms. Tests have been made comparing HVAC condensate water to WHO drinking water standards, which analyze that condensate may be safely used by humans (Elbrashy et. al., 2025).  However, due to the metal condensate system, there have been concerns of ion presence, pH change, hardness alterations, and bacterial growth that may affect the quality of condensate water. Hardness can be defined as the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water. We will measure these compared to the hose water currently used for irrigation at Kendeda.
 Hypothesis/Research Question
 Does filtered HVAC condensate, considering potential metal contamination and pH variability, provide sufficient water quality to support duckweed growth comparable to conventional water sources such as hose water? If the HVAC condensate contains higher water hardness than the control (hose water), then duckweed (Lemna Minor) grown in the HVAC condensate will exhibit reduced growth and increased yellowing/discoloration due to the effects of hardness on nutrient availability and plant health.
 Poster
 [[File:Spring2026FinalPoster|thumb]]

@@ Line 64: / Line 64: @@
 == Spring 2026 ==
 Summary
 The Kendeda building at Georgia Tech is known as a "living building," reusing each energy source it obtains to support itself and the local ecosystem. We will experiment with Kendeda's HVAC condensate water as a renewable source to irrigate local plants and organisms. Tests have been made comparing HVAC condensate water to WHO drinking water standards, which analyze that condensate may be safely used by humans (Elbrashy et. al., 2025).  However, due to the metal condensate system, there have been concerns of ion presence, pH change, hardness alterations, and bacterial growth that may affect the quality of condensate water. Hardness can be defined as the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water. We will measure these compared to the hose water currently used for irrigation at Kendeda.
 Hypothesis/Research Question
 Does filtered HVAC condensate, considering potential metal contamination and pH variability, provide sufficient water quality to support duckweed growth comparable to conventional water sources such as hose water? If the HVAC condensate contains higher water hardness than the control (hose water), then duckweed (Lemna Minor) grown in the HVAC condensate will exhibit reduced growth and increased yellowing/discoloration due to the effects of hardness on nutrient availability and plant health.
 Poster
 [[File:Spring2026FinalPoster|thumb]]

@@ Line 64: / Line 64: @@
 == Spring 2026 ==
 Summary
 The Kendeda building at Georgia Tech is known as a "living building," reusing each energy source it obtains to support itself and the local ecosystem. We will experiment with Kendeda's HVAC condensate water as a renewable source to irrigate local plants and organisms. Tests have been made comparing HVAC condensate water to WHO drinking water standards, which analyze that condensate may be safely used by humans (Elbrashy et. al., 2025).  However, due to the metal condensate system, there have been concerns of ion presence, pH change, hardness alterations, and bacterial growth that may affect the quality of condensate water. Hardness can be defined as the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water. We will measure these compared to the hose water currently used for irrigation at Kendeda.
 Hypothesis/Research Question
 Does filtered HVAC condensate, considering potential metal contamination and pH variability, provide sufficient water quality to support duckweed growth comparable to conventional water sources such as hose water? If the HVAC condensate contains higher water hardness than the control (hose water), then duckweed (Lemna Minor) grown in the HVAC condensate will exhibit reduced growth and increased yellowing/discoloration due to the effects of hardness on nutrient availability and plant health.
 Poster
 [[File:Spring2026FinalPoster|thumb]]

@@ Line 61: / Line 61: @@
 The major risk involved with this experiment is the possibility of Legionnaires disease Legionella pneumonia. All work with culturing will be done in proper biosafety level areas with appropriate personal protective equipment in a proper biosafety cabinet. Personal protective will be worn at all times performing any experiments that has any associated risk whatsoever.
 == Literature ==
@@ Line 114: / Line 124: @@
 Valero, F. P., Villanueva, S. C., & Lleonart, A. P. (2007). Study of refrigeration towers associated with community outbreaks of legionellosis. Gaceta Sanitaria, 21(4), 357-360. Retrieved from <Go to ISI>://WOS:000253953700017
 * Evaluates factors & risks of cooling towers in terms of risk of legionnaires disease community spread & outbreaks
 == Team Members ==

@@ Line 32: / Line 32: @@
 # Use water samples to grow known heavy metal accumulators such as Helianthus gracilentus & Raphanus sativus, test for heavy metals
 General extraction process
 H.V.A.C. condensate tank is located at bottom floor of Kendeda building. Contact a building maintenance professional to access condensate system. Use personal protective equipment and sterile containers to collect water from condensate. Water collection should be done on a consistent and timely basis. Utmost safety and common sense should be used when collecting samples, vials should be labeled properly, hands should be washed, etc.
 Heavy metal detection
 Water samples from condensate compared with tap water and then will be analyzed for trace heavy metals using either Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy or Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Particularly trace heavy metals such as iron, cadmium, nickel, lead, and more will be focused on.
 Culturing Methods for Legionella pneumonia
 Water samples will be collected. Then comparatively using condensate samples and tap water samples. Also perform swabs in tank area. Culture using BCYE medium without L-cysteine & BCYE medium with L-Cysteine. Incubate at 36 degrees Celsius. Try and swab pipes if possible as well.
 Accumulator water growth
 Two species of known hyper accumulators, dwarf sunflowers - Helianthus gracilentus and radishes – Raphanus sativus. These will be grown under constant conditions and will be split up into separate groups. One with water from the condensate system proposed for irrigation, and the other with tap water. Collect biomass and soil samples, then use dry ashing or wet digestion method along with ICPMS to receive data. Use personal protective equipment under all circumstances when working with any materials.
 Associated risks
-The major risk involved with this experiment is the possibility of Legionnaires disease Legionella pneumonia. All work with culturing will be done in proper biosafety level areas with appropriate personal protective equipment in a proper biosafety cabinet. Personal protective will be worn at all times performing any experiments that has any associated risk whatsoever.
 == Literature ==
 Cataldo, D. A., & Wildung, R. E. (1978). Soil and plant factors influencing the accumulation of heavy metals by plants. 27, 149-159. doi:10.1289/ehp.7827149

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 == System Specifics  ==
-The system being focused on for this research is the condensate system in the Kendeda Building. The purpose of this system is to take in the condensate from the air when it comes in the vents, store it, and then send it back out to be used as irrigation for the various plants around Kendeda. This system is made mainly of stainless steel and HDPE, which was found using the building schematics. From this, various studies show that there are common metals that leach from steel and these will be used as a basis for the testing in order to see if there is any leaching. The condensate water also sits in a large tank for an extended period of time before being used, especially if it is very humid for multiple days at a time. Because of this there will be tests for the presence of legionella in the irrigation water. This would be an issue, especially since the condensate water will be used to irrigate edible plants in the future.
+The system being focused on for this research is the [http://livingbuilding.gatech.edu/sites/default/files/images/water1_georgiatechloopdiagram_050318.jpg condensate system] in the Kendeda Building. The purpose of this system is to take in the condensate from the air when it comes in the vents, store it, and then send it back out to be used as irrigation for the various plants around Kendeda. This system is made mainly of stainless steel and HDPE, which was found using the building schematics. From this, various studies show that there are common metals that leach from steel and these will be used as a basis for the testing in order to see if there is any leaching. The condensate water also sits in a large tank for an extended period of time before being used, especially if it is very humid for multiple days at a time. Because of this there will be tests for the presence of legionella in the irrigation water. This would be an issue, especially since the condensate water will be used to irrigate edible plants in the future.
 == Analogous Systems ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:02, 21 April 2020
Line 6:		Line 6:

	The Condensate Team sought to learn more about the unique condensate system at the Kendeda Living Building. The research was primarily focused on any possible potential consequences that may arise with the use of condensate water as Kendeda's primary source of irrigation. Principally focusing on testing water for heavy metals and irrigated plants. As well as test for the presence of Legionnaires disease in the condensate tank. Legionella pneumophila, the bacteria responsible for Legionnaires disease can be prevalent in many man made water systems, depending on a multitude of factors from temperature to flow. Any possible heavy metal traces from the condensate system need to noted, or proved nonexistent due to the fact of the edible nature of many of the planned agriculture of Kendeda.		The Condensate Team sought to learn more about the unique condensate system at the Kendeda Living Building. The research was primarily focused on any possible potential consequences that may arise with the use of condensate water as Kendeda's primary source of irrigation. Principally focusing on testing water for heavy metals and irrigated plants. As well as test for the presence of Legionnaires disease in the condensate tank. Legionella pneumophila, the bacteria responsible for Legionnaires disease can be prevalent in many man made water systems, depending on a multitude of factors from temperature to flow. Any possible heavy metal traces from the condensate system need to noted, or proved nonexistent due to the fact of the edible nature of many of the planned agriculture of Kendeda.
−	~~[[File:Kendeda.jpg\|thumb\|The Kendeda Building]]~~

	== System Specifics ==		== System Specifics ==