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Energy Losses by Air Leakage in Condensing Tumble Dryers
Karlstad University, Faculty of Technology and Science, Department of Energy, Environmental and Building Technology. (Miljö- och energisystem)ORCID iD: 0000-0002-1282-968x
Karlstad University, Faculty of Technology and Science, Department of Energy, Environmental and Building Technology. (Miljö- och energisystem)ORCID iD: 0000-0002-9707-8896
Karlstad University, Faculty of Technology and Science, Department of Energy, Environmental and Building Technology. (Energi och hållbar utveckling)ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5764-7062
2012 (English)In: Applied Thermal Engineering, ISSN 1359-4311, E-ISSN 1873-5606, Vol. 37, no May, p. 373-379Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Tumble dryers, used for the drying of textiles, consume a considerable amount of electricity due to the large number of dryers in use. A large amount of this electricity is produced from coal, making it important to reduce the electricity use and, hence, the carbon dioxide emissions. Earlier studies made on the condensing tumble dryer have pointed out that leakage is one of the parameters affecting the electricity use for the drying process. With a view to reducing the energy use, leakage was estimated through measurements and modelling. Energy balances were used in order to verify the leakage. The energy balance showed good agreement with the results from the model and confirms that the leakage out from the dryer arises mainly between the heater and the drum where the air is hot and has low relative humidity. Large leakage at this location is detrimental for the energy efficiency of the dryer, meaning that the leakage must be reduced in order to obtain a reduced energy use. Results from the model also point out that even small changes in the size of gaps, or changes to the pressure in the internal system, result in a significant change in leakage from the dryer

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier , 2012. Vol. 37, no May, p. 373-379
Keywords [en]
Energy balance, Tumble dryer, Leakage, Textile, Domestic
National Category
Energy Systems
Research subject
Environmental and Energy Systems
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-8246DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2011.11.051ISI: 000301026600045OAI: oai:DiVA.org:kau-8246DiVA, id: diva2:440944
Available from: 2011-09-14 Created: 2011-09-14 Last updated: 2022-11-25Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. Energy Efficiency Improvements of Tumble Dryers: -Technical Development, Laundry Habits and Energy Labelling
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Energy Efficiency Improvements of Tumble Dryers: -Technical Development, Laundry Habits and Energy Labelling
2011 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Tumble dryers are becoming more and more common in ordinary households as a complement to the washing machine. Tumble dryers offer a fast drying cycle independent on weather conditions and require small space. They do, however, considering the large number of units use a large amount of electricity. The main objective in this thesis is to identify possibilities in order to reach a reduced electricity use for domestic tumble-drying of clothes. This involves an investigation of the condensing tumble dryer in order to point out possible energy efficiency improvements. The purpose of the energy label, which indicates the energy efficiency of the tumble dryer, is also studied, whether it matches the actual laundry habits. Finally, suggestions for technical development of the tumble dryer are made in line with today’s consumer behaviour.

The performance of the condensing tumble dryer has been studied using a design of experiments to create a statistical model in Paper I. This model was used to find the best settings for the power supply to the heater, the internal airflow and the external airflow in order to reach a high specific moisture extraction rate (SMER) and a low leakage ratio. A low external airflow and high power supply to the heater gives the highest SMER. To reach the lowest values for the leakage ratio, a low internal airflow should be applied together with a high external airflow. The use of a statistical model gave valuable information of the performance of the existing tumble dryer. For further improving the energy efficiency of the dryer, the amount of leakage and its location was investigated in Paper IV. By studying energy and mass balances from experiments, pressure measurements and modelling, the effects of leakage on the process were evaluated. As the location of the leakage is so important for the energy efficiency, the worst-case scenario where leakage is located between the heater and the drum is used as a start point in the study. It was determined that there is a large leakage of air between the heater and the drum leading to a significant loss in energy recovery.

The drying loads used by consumers are getting smaller, often less than 3 kg dry load, while the maximum capacity of the dryers are increasing, up to 7 or 8 kg. In Paper II, tests were made with different loads in order to investigate if the energy label serves its purpose as today’s standard is set at the dryers’ maximum capacity. The results from this study show that the energy efficiency when drying a small load is significantly lower than for a large load. In order to encourage a production of tumble dryers with higher energy efficiency for small loads, where the dryer is most frequently used, the standards for the energy label should be revised. Today, manufacturers do not gain any benefits by improving the performance for partial loads.

A mathematical model over a venting tumble dryer was established in Paper III with the aim of testing different control strategies in order to improve the energy efficiency of the tumble dryer for partial loads. The ideas behind the different strategies were to minimize the heat losses during the drying process and to increase the residence time for the air in the drum and thereby increase the moisture content of the air leaving the drum. Using such a control strategy it is possible to reach an improvement of SMER by approximately 4% when drying small loads. In order to reach larger improvements, however, a more extensive product development will be necessary.

Finally, the results in this thesis points at the necessity of including not only the technical development of the tumble dryer, but also the policy tools involved and the consumers’ habits in order to reach a reduced electricity use for drying clothes in households. 

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Karlstad: Karlstad University, 2011. p. 56
Series
Karlstad University Studies, ISSN 1403-8099 ; 2011:43
Keywords
drying, domestic, energy efficiency, textile, energy labelling standard
National Category
Energy Systems
Research subject
Environmental and Energy Systems
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-8109 (URN)978-91-7063-378-2 (ISBN)
Public defence
2011-10-04, 11D 257 (Agardhsalen), Universitetsgatan 1, Karlstad, 13:00 (Swedish)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2011-09-14 Created: 2011-08-23 Last updated: 2022-11-25Bibliographically approved

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Stawreberg, LenaBerghel, JonasRenström, Roger

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