How to remove condensate water in supermarkets?

Removing and collecting condensate water

Evac’s vacuum collection technology for removing refrigeration wastewater and condensate is a flexible and cost-effective solution to design supermarkets and other retail facilities.

Unlike conventional gravity drainage, vacuum generation units transport refrigeration wastewater through an overhead piping network by withdrawing air. This opens a world of design possibilities that would have otherwise been too complicated or costly.

So, how exactly does it work?

The main elements in a vacuum system are the vacuum interface collection points and the vacuum collection units. The collection unit generates the vacuum in the piping using a vacuum pump(s). When an interface collection point is triggered, the higher-pressure atmospheric air flows into the lower pressure piping through the interface collection point. The air travels at high velocity because of the pressure different – pushing the condensate or graywater through the piping to the vacuum collection unit.

Typically, one interface collection point cycle transports the condensate between 10 and 25 meters to the next transport pocket, where a reserve is created to form a slug of water. When the collection point cycles again, the condensate moves another 10-25 meters until it reaches the collection unit. From here, it can be lifted where needed or released to the sewer.

Evac´s solutions use a vacuum to draw condensate upwards to a height of 6 m and beyond. Usually made of PVC or PEHD, the piping is easily accessed and modified, which makes a last-minute addition or modification simple and inexpensive.

Blockages and sedimentation are nonexistent because of the very high water velocity in the vacuum pipe. A breach in the pipe will lead to air leaking into the pipe, not water leaking into the store. Vacuum collection also creates the opportunity for water reuse, making the technology a sustainable choice.