Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Legionella can multiply significantly in domestic hot water systems and thus
become a danger for human beings if they get in contact with the infected water.
However, this is not a problem specific to solar systems, but this problem has also
occurred in solar systems in the past. As legionella die quickly at a temperature of
approximately 60 °C, this danger can be easily limited by appropriate technical
measures. Tests have also shown that extended storage periods, exceeding by far
the requirements of DVGW recommendation (German Association for Gas and
Water), do not necessarily lead to a multiplication of legionella /4-22/. If the cor-
responding DVGW regulations are observed, the multiplication of legionella can
be safely avoided. These requirements have been fulfilled for all modern solar
systems. Out of the system layouts analysed in this chapter, this problem might
only occur with regard to the system SFH-III having domestic hot water storage.
In all other systems legionella will virtually not occur.
Altogether, the potential environmental impacts of solar thermal heating are
also low in case of an accident.
End of operation.
In principle, recycling main parts of solar thermal systems (e.g.
solar collector, storage) is possible. The producers in Germany, for example, are
also committed to take the collectors back after the end of the technical lifetime
and recycle the materials as part of the German Blue Angel Agreement. Thus,
there are environmental effects common for certain materials being recycled.
They are, however, not specific to solar systems.
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