Laundry system with optimized utilization of applied energy

Abstract

The invention relates to a laundry system (100) for treating laundry, comprising a plurality of laundry treatment machines (10, 11, 12), in particular designed as washer-extractors or automatic intermittent washing machines, which can be fed with fresh water (32) and with which warm wastewater (33) can be generated. According to the invention, a first wastewater heat exchanger (34) is set up, to which a freshwater line (35) containing the fresh water (32) and a wastewater line (36) containing the warm wastewater (33) are supplied, such that the freshwater (32) can be heated by means of the first wastewater heat exchanger (34) on the warm wastewater (33). A downstream second wastewater heat exchanger (37) is set up, via which heat can be transferred from the wastewater (33) to a heat transfer fluid conducted in an intermediate circuit (38), a low-temperature heat exchanger (39) being integrated into the intermediate circuit (38).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a laundry system for treating laundry and a method for operating a laundry system, comprising a plurality of laundry treatment machines, in particular designed as washer-extractors or cycle washing machines, which can be fed with fresh water and with which warm waste water can be generated. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] DE 10 2006 020 003 A1 discloses a laundry system for energy-reduced laundry treatment, comprising several laundry treatment machines. The heat energy resulting from the exhaust air emitted by the laundry treatment machines, the so-called vapor, is fed to a common heat exchanger. This energy from the exhaust air is converted into warm water or warm air in the form of fresh water or fresh air. For this purpose, according to the disclosure, a central heat exchanger is provided, into which the moist, warm exhaust air from the laundry treatment machines is fed. Water is heated via a water circuit at the drying stage of the moist, warm exhaust air, in order to then heat cold fresh water via this heated water in a closed water circuit.Disadvantageously, the thermal energy from the warm exhaust air is utilized by feeding it directly into a central heat exchanger and recirculating it. Hot water generated during the condensation process is further utilized via another heat exchanger to heat fresh water, which is then fed to the laundry processing machines. The heated fresh water is later fed to other laundry processing machines, such as a conveyor-type washing machine. External use of overdue energy from the laundry processing machines is therefore not possible. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The object of the invention is to further utilize energy for laundry systems with multiple laundry treatment machines, in particular by externally providing heat energy. In particular, a method for operating such laundry systems with multiple laundry treatment machines is to be improved by allowing them to provide excess energy to an external consumer, even with optimized operation, with their required energy requirements. In particular, warm exhaust air and / or warm wastewater from the laundry treatment machines are to be used to externally provide the energy contained therein.

[0004] This object is achieved by a laundry system according to the preamble of claim 1 and by a method according to the preamble of claim 14 with the respective characterizing features. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0005] According to a first essential aspect of the invention, laundry treatment machines are provided, which are designed in particular as washer-extractors or as intermittent washing machines, and which are fed with fresh water and generate warm wastewater. A first wastewater heat exchanger is provided, to which a freshwater line containing the fresh water and a wastewater line containing the warm wastewater are supplied. When the laundry treatment machines are operated and warm wastewater is generated, the cold freshwater provided by the supplier can be heated by the warm wastewater, so that heat is transferred from the warm wastewater to the cold freshwater. Furthermore, a downstream second wastewater heat exchanger is provided, via which heat can be transferred from the wastewater to a heat transfer fluid conducted in an intermediate circuit, wherein a low-temperature heat exchanger is integrated into the intermediate circuit.

[0006] The basic idea of using heat from wastewater-producing laundry treatment machines is that a laundry system typically includes laundry treatment machines that generate warm exhaust air and laundry treatment machines that generate warm wastewater. In addition to the aforementioned use of heat in the warm exhaust air, warm wastewater can also be utilized, for example, from the operation of washer-extractors or intermittent washing machines.

[0007] The inventive concept is the multiple, cascade-like utilization of waste heat in wastewater: firstly, to heat fresh water by passing the wastewater through a first wastewater heat exchanger, and secondly, to transfer heat to a low-temperature heat exchanger, which receives heat via a heat transfer fluid in an intermediate circuit, which in turn can heat the heat transfer fluid via a second wastewater heat exchanger. In other words, the wastewater passes through a heat exchanger cascade, as it has been found that passing through a single heat exchanger and being transferred to a receiving fluid, for example, fresh water, still contains residual heat that can be further utilized and thus provided externally.Once the wastewater has flowed through the first wastewater heat exchanger and heated the fresh water, this can still contain residual heat of, for example, 20°C. By appropriate temperature control in the intermediate circuit, the wastewater can be cooled to, for example, 8°C, so that a considerable heat flow can once again be transferred via the intermediate circuit to the low-temperature heat exchanger and made available externally.

[0008] The external device can in particular relate to an external heating network. The external heating network can relate to a publicly or privately operated heating system, for example a so-called district heating network, into which heat is fed from the laundry system according to the invention. The heat can be transferred to the heating network directly from the at least one heat exchanger, or a heat pump can be coupled to the at least one heat exchanger so that heat is transferred at a higher energy level. The heat pump can be part of the laundry system and operated and controlled in conjunction with it, or the heat pump can be part of the public or private operator of the heating network and is connected to the laundry system, for example, via pipes.

[0009] The low-temperature heat exchanger is therefore intended for temperatures which have a value of 10°C to 30°C, in particular 20°C, in the flow and / or a value of 0°C to 20°C, in particular 8°C to 10°C, in the return.

[0010] Particularly advantageously, a heat pump unit is also provided here, comprising an evaporator that can be coupled to the low-temperature heat exchanger or can form the same itself, in order to provide heat externally, i.e., to an external device. The evaporator of the heat pump unit is, in particular, structurally integrated with the low-temperature heat exchanger.

[0011] The temperature of the wastewater, for example from the washer-extractor or the intermittent washing machine, can be between 40°C and 60°C, in particular approximately 45°C. The first wastewater heat exchanger can heat the freshwater to, for example, 40°C or more, in order to then feed it to the washer-extractor or the intermittent washing machine at this temperature. Once the wastewater has passed through the first wastewater heat exchanger, the temperature of the wastewater can drop to, for example, approximately 20°C. Once the wastewater has passed through the second wastewater heat exchanger, the temperature of the wastewater can cool down again, for example, to below 10°C, for example to 7°C or even lower.

[0012] Furthermore, a wastewater storage tank can be provided in which the warm wastewater from the laundry treatment machines can be stored. According to a further embodiment, a freshwater storage tank is provided, to which the heated freshwater can be fed after passing through the first wastewater heat exchanger and in which the heated freshwater can be stored.

[0013] A pump designed as a centrifugal pump with a volume flow control can be installed in the wastewater line, and / or a pump designed as a centrifugal pump with a volume flow control can be installed in the freshwater line. The pump in the freshwater line is preferably designed as a centrifugal pump with a volume flow control. The use of a positive displacement pump, in particular a piston pump, is also possible.

[0014] In order to move the heat transfer fluid through the intermediate circuit, a pump is integrated therein, wherein the intermediate circuit can be designed to be closed, and the evaporator of the heat pump unit is in particular coupled to the low-temperature heat exchanger or the low-temperature heat exchanger is designed as a unit with the evaporator of the heat pump unit, so that the evaporator forms a component of the low-temperature heat exchanger.

[0015] It is also advantageous to install a pump in the line from the fresh water storage tank to the laundry treatment machines, which allows the pressure of the heated fresh water in the line to the laundry treatment machines to be maintained.

[0016] The invention further relates to a method for operating a laundry system for treating laundry, comprising a plurality of laundry treatment machines, in particular designed as an ironer, a tunnel finisher or as a dryer, which are fed with hot steam, hot gas, thermal oil and / or with electrical energy.The method provides in particular the following steps: setting up a closed fluid circuit with a heat transfer fluid circulating therein, setting up at least one condensation heat exchanger and connecting the fluid circuit to the condensation heat exchanger, transferring heat from an exhaust air of the laundry treatment machines to the heat transfer fluid by means of the condensation heat exchanger, setting up at least one heat exchanger, connecting the fluid circuit to the heat exchanger and transferring heat of the heat transfer fluid to a device outside the laundry system by means of the heat exchanger, in particular via or by means of a heat pump unit having an evaporator which is coupled to the heat exchanger or forms the heat exchanger.The heat pump unit is part of the laundry system and can be operated in particular with electricity from renewable energy sources, for example by means of photovoltaics, which is also part of the laundry system.

[0017] Each laundry treatment machine can be assigned a condensation heat exchanger to which the fluid circuit is individually connected and via which heat from an exhaust air of the laundry treatment machines can be transferred to the heat transfer fluid, but it is also conceivable that a central condensation heat exchanger is set up and connected to the fluid circuit and to which the several laundry treatment machines are collectively connected.

[0018] The method is characterized in particular by the following additional points: Setting up additional laundry treatment machines as part of the laundry system, in particular washer-extractors or cycle washing machines, which are fed with fresh water and with which warm wastewater is generated, Setting up a first wastewater heat exchanger to which a freshwater line with the fresh water and a wastewater line with the warm wastewater are fed, Heating the fresh water by means of the first wastewater heat exchanger on the warm wastewater, and / or Setting up a subsequent second wastewater heat exchanger and an intermediate circuit, Transferring heat from the wastewater to a heat transfer fluid conducted in the intermediate circuit, Incorporating a low-temperature heat exchanger in the intermediate circuit and / or Setting up a heat pump unit having an evaporator and coupling the evaporator to the low-temperature heat exchanger,to provide heat to an external facility.

[0019] According to an advantageous development of the invention, a closed fluid circuit is provided in which a heat transfer fluid can circulate, not only to recirculate waste heat generated during the operation of the laundry treatment machines for the internal operation of the laundry facility, but also to transfer heat generated during the operation of the laundry system to a facility outside the laundry system, thus making it available. Such an external facility is, for example, a district heating network or a facility that provides another form of energy from the transferred heat energy, or the available heat energy is increased to a higher level using a heat pump with low electrical input based on a corresponding heat pump coefficient of performance.In addition to the actual treatment of the laundry, the laundry system can also serve as a heat energy supplier, which is already possible based solely on the exhaust air generated during the operation of the laundry treatment machines, since the energy is superfluous in the overall laundry system.

[0020] In this respect, a closed fluid circuit with a heat transfer fluid circulating therein can also be set up, and wherein at least one condensation heat exchanger is set up, to which the fluid circuit is connected and via which heat from an exhaust air of the laundry treatment machines can be transferred to the heat transfer fluid, and wherein at least one heat exchanger is set up, to which the fluid circuit is connected and by means of which the heat of the heat transfer fluid can be transferred to a device outside the laundry system.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the laundry system according to the invention, it comprises a storage tank connected to the fluid circuit and in which the heat transfer fluid, particularly cooled in the heat exchanger, can be stored. The heat transfer fluid is fed to the storage tank after passing through the heat exchanger and can therefore be stored there, preferably at a lower temperature. The storage tank can also be configured on-site as a pure thermal energy storage device for the circulating fluid, whereby this can be comparatively small, since the total amount of heat transfer fluid in the laundry system remains constant.

[0022] For example, the storage tank can be reduced to the size of a pressure equalization vessel. Alternatively, the storage tank can be installed in the pipeline, for example, directly upstream of the heat exchanger, thus storing the heat transfer fluid in a warm state.

[0023] If the laundry treatment machine is fed with superheated steam, advantageously at least one steam generator is provided. The steam generator configured to generate the superheated steam can be present singly or in multiple units. The at least one steam generator has a burner unit for providing thermal energy and thus for heating the superheated steam. The burner unit can be operated, for example, with gas or oil. Operation of the burner unit generates hot exhaust gas, in particular flue gas from combustion. Therefore, within the scope of an advantageous development of the invention, at least one exhaust gas heat exchanger is provided, to which the fluid circuit is connected and via which the heat of the exhaust gas can be transferred to the heat transfer fluid.The fluid circuit can be connected to the exhaust gas heat exchanger in such a way that the heat transfer fluid flows through the at least one exhaust gas heat exchanger parallel to the condensation heat exchanger; however, it is also conceivable that the heat transfer fluid flows through the exhaust gas heat exchanger before or after flowing through the condensation heat exchanger.

[0024] The flow of the heat transfer fluid through the fluid circuit toward the heat exchanger can thus be configured such that either the at least one or more condensation heat exchangers are first flowed through, followed by the exhaust gas heat exchanger, or the heat transfer fluid flows through the at least one exhaust gas heat exchanger before the at least one condensation heat exchanger. A parallel and thus independent flow through the exhaust gas heat exchanger and the condensation heat exchanger can preferably occur, and a collecting line can be configured as part of the fluid circuit, via which the respective heat transfer fluid flowing through the condensation heat exchanger and the exhaust gas heat exchanger is reunited to finally be fed to the heat exchanger for external energy dissipation.

[0025] The temperature of the heat transfer fluid in the storage tank can be, for example, 20°C to 40°C, in particular 25°C to 35°C, and preferably 30°C. The temperature of the heat transfer fluid in the inlet of the heat exchanger can be 50°C to 70°C, preferably 55°C to 65°C, and particularly preferably 60°C. A pump can be installed to circulate the heat transfer fluid in the fluid circuit, preferably between the storage tank and the condensation heat exchangers or the exhaust gas heat exchangers, so that the pump effectively sucks the heat transfer fluid out of the storage tank.

[0026] The heat transfer fluid in the fluid circuit can be water, thermal oil, silicone oil, an alcohol-water solution, a salt-water solution, a molten salt solution, or a mixture of the aforementioned fluids. The heat transfer fluid can, in particular, be selected so that the fluid has a particularly high specific heat capacity.

[0027] It is also advantageous if each of the heat treatment machines is assigned a separate condensation heat exchanger, which is connected to the heat exchanger via the common manifold mentioned above. Valves, particularly designed as ball valves, can be installed in the manifold branches leading to the condensation heat exchangers. These valves can be individually disconnected from the manifold or connected to it. It is also conceivable to install heat meters in the manifold branches leading to the condensation heat exchangers.

[0028] Finally, a heat pump unit can be installed as part of the laundry system, comprising an evaporator coupled to or forming the heat exchanger to provide heat externally. The heat pump unit can significantly increase the temperature provided by the heat exchanger in the fluid circuit, particularly by supplying a comparatively low electrical power to operate the heat pump unit. Thus, heat can be provided to the external device outside the laundry system at a significantly higher temperature than the temperature in the manifold, which can be, for example, 60°C, particularly with the aid of the heat pump unit. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Further measures improving the invention are described in more detail below, together with the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference to the figures. It shows: Figure 1 shows a first view of a laundry system with laundry treatment machines that can be fed with fresh water and that produce warm waste water, and Figure 2 shows further laundry treatment machines of the same laundry system that can be fed with hot steam and that produce exhaust air.

[0030] The Figure 1 and in the Figure 2 Each laundry system shown can form a self-contained system, which can be operated in accordance with Figure 1 Laundry treatment machines, such as washer-extractors or cycle washing machines, which can be fed with fresh water and produce hot waste water, and which is in accordance with Figure 2Laundry treatment machines, for example mangles, tunnel finishers or dryers, which according to the example shown can be fed with hot steam and generate hot exhaust air 18 from the process. In particular, the two self-contained systems shown can also represent a single embodiment, according to which the two in the Figure 1 and 2The laundry systems shown form an overall system. Laundries are usually equipped with both washer-extractors and intermittent washing machines, and laundries also have mangles, tunnel finishers or dryers, so that all these laundry treatment machines can form the entire laundry system. Within the scope of the invention, it is conceivable that the laundry system only relates to laundry treatment machines relating to mangles, tunnel finishers or dryers, or only to laundry treatment machines comprising washer-extractors or intermittent washing machines, but in particular comprising all types of laundry treatment machines. In this respect, the external heat supply according to Figure 1 and external heat supply according to Figure 2 be installed jointly in the laundry system via the respective heat pump units 28 and 40 and jointly provide heat energy externally.

[0031] According to Figure 1The laundry system 100 comprises laundry treatment machines 30, 31 that can be fed with fresh water 32 and that can generate warm wastewater 33 during operation. Such laundry treatment machines 30, 31 relate, for example, to washer-extractors or automatic intermittent washing machines.

[0032] The Figure 2The system shown has, as essential components, a first wastewater heat exchanger 34, to which a fresh water line 35 with the fresh water 32 and a wastewater line 36 with the warm wastewater 33 are supplied. To supply the fresh water 32, a pump 48 can be set up, which draws fresh water 32 from a fresh water reservoir 49 in which cold fresh water 32 is stored, wherein the fresh water 32 can, for example, also be rainwater or water purified and recycled from the wastewater 33. With the first wastewater heat exchanger 34, the heat of the warm wastewater 33 can be transferred to the cold fresh water 32, after which the thus heated fresh water 32 can be supplied to a fresh water warm storage tank 45. Furthermore, it is provided that a second wastewater heat exchanger 37 is set up downstream of the first wastewater heat exchanger 34, and that pre-cooled wastewater 33 is supplied to the second wastewater heat exchanger 37.This is integrated into an intermediate circuit 38, and the wastewater 33, which is still at an elevated temperature, transfers further heat to the intermediate circuit 38 in the second wastewater heat exchanger 37. This is shown as an example in two parts.

[0033] The intermediate circuit 38 carries a heat transfer fluid, which is heated in the second wastewater heat exchanger 37 and, in the heated state, transfers heat to a low-temperature heat exchanger 39, which is integrated into the intermediate circuit 38. The low-temperature heat exchanger 39, which can also be designed as a plate heat exchanger, can, for example, offer a heat transfer capacity of 250 kW, whereby the heat transfer fluid in the intermediate circuit 38 can have a temperature of approximately 20°C. After passing through the low-temperature heat exchanger 39, this fluid can cool down to 8°C, for example. The illustration shows the further configuration of a heat pump unit 40 with an evaporator 41, so that the low-temperature heat exchanger 39 transfers heat to the evaporator 41 in a further closed fluid circuit, so that when electrical energy is added, further heat energy can be transferred to an external device E.The further closed circuit between the low-temperature heat exchanger 39 and the heat pump unit 40 has a pump 43 for circulating the heat transfer fluid in the intermediate circuit 38.

[0034] The wastewater 33, which has cooled to, for example, 8°C by passing through the second wastewater heat exchanger 37, is then fed to a wastewater channel 42, which can also be filtered and further cleaned in a manner not shown in detail.

[0035] The warm wastewater 33 produced by the laundry treatment machines 30, 31 can initially be temporarily stored in a wastewater storage tank 44. From this wastewater storage tank 44, which can be provided on-site, the warm wastewater 33 can be pumped to the first and second wastewater heat exchangers 34, 37 by means of a pump 46, in particular a centrifugal pump, with a volume flow control for regulating the wastewater flow. The wastewater heat exchangers 34, 37 can be designed as tube-in-tube heat exchangers and operate according to the countercurrent principle.

[0036] The fresh water 32 heated by the first wastewater heat exchanger 34 is fed to the fresh water warm storage tank 45, from which the heated fresh water 32 is extracted by a pump 47 and fed to the laundry treatment machines 30, 31. The fresh water 32 in the fresh water warm tank 45 can, for example, have a temperature of 40°C to 45°C. The pump 47 can be designed as a centrifugal pump with a pressure maintenance control in order to always provide the necessary fresh water pressure to the laundry treatment machines 30, 31. The pump 48 for extracting the fresh water 32 from the fresh water tank 49 is designed, in particular, as a centrifugal pump with a volume flow control, so that the fill level of the fresh water warm storage tank 45 is always maintained, which is necessary to supply the laundry treatment machines 30, 31.It is particularly advantageous that the pump 48 conveys the appropriate amount of cold fresh water 32 through the first wastewater heat exchanger 34 precisely when the warm wastewater 33 is also available, in particular when the wastewater storage tank 44 has the required fill level. To prevent the warm wastewater 33 from cooling down unnecessarily in the wastewater storage tank 44, and knowing that the laundry treatment machines 30, 31 are operating for the continued operation of the laundry system 100, the first wastewater heat exchanger 34 can be proactively operated such that the required amount of heated fresh water 32 is always present in the freshwater warm water storage tank 45, specifically at the highest possible temperature.

[0037] Figure 2 shows the view of a laundry system 100, which, as mentioned at the beginning, can be a device in itself, but preferably this device is in addition to the laundry system 100 according to Figure 1to see.

[0038] The laundry system 100 according to Figure 2shows, by way of example, three laundry treatment machines 10, 11, 12 that correspond to a category in which the laundry treatment machines generate hot exhaust air 18 during operation, for example, when the laundry treatment machines are designed as an ironer, a tunnel finisher, or a dryer. Thus, by way of example, three laundry treatment machines 10, 11, 12 are shown, each generating exhaust air 18. A condensation heat exchanger 17, to which the respective hot exhaust air 18 is transferred, is operatively connected to each of the laundry treatment machines 10, 11, 12. For example, hot steam 13, which is provided via steam generators 14, is required to operate the laundry treatment machines 10, 11, 12.By way of example, three steam generators 14 are shown, and the hot steam 13 generated thereby is supplied to the respective laundry treatment machines 10, 11, 12 via a line connection, whereby only one steam generator 14 can be set up to feed all laundry treatment machines 10, 11, 12.

[0039] As an essential component of the inventive design of the laundry system 100, a fluid circuit 15 is provided in which a heat transfer fluid 16 is guided. The fluid circuit 15 is designed to be closed, so that the heat transfer fluid 16 can circulate in the fluid circuit 15. The fluid circuit 15 has a storage tank 20 and a pump 24, so that the heat transfer fluid 16 can be supplied to the storage tank 20, particularly in the cooled state. The storage tank 20 can serve, in particular, as a buffer tank.

[0040] Furthermore, a heat exchanger 19 is integrated into the fluid circuit 15, which is particularly designed as a plate heat exchanger, for example, with a heat transfer capacity of 500 kW to 750 kW at a flow temperature of the heat transfer fluid of 60°C. Such a plate heat exchanger can, for example, represent an interface to a municipal utility, or the heat is transferred to private consumers.

[0041] The principle of the condensation heat exchanger 17 is based on the fact that during the condensation of the water vapor in the exhaust air 18, latent condensation energy is released, the so-called condensation enthalpy, which is achieved by cooling the exhaust air 18 by lowering the temperature below the dew point of the water vapor in the exhaust air 18, so that the condensation enthalpy can be released.

[0042] This heat quantity can then be transferred to the heat transfer fluid in the fluid circuit. Once the heat transfer fluid 16 has passed through the condensation heat exchanger 17, the heat transfer fluid 16 is transferred to the heat exchanger 19 via a collecting line 25 as part of the fluid circuit 15. In the individual inlets of the collecting line 25 to the condensation heat exchangers 17, valves 26 and / or heat meters 27 can also be installed as shown. The valves 26 can also be designed as ball valves, for example, and the heat meters 27 can transmit information about the heat quantity passing through to a central control unit. In this way, the function of each individual condensation heat exchanger 17 can be retrieved. For example, if no heat quantity is measured by the heat meter 27, the valve 26 can close.

[0043] According to the exemplary embodiment, the steam generators 14 are operated with burner units 21, which are fed in particular with a fossil energy source 50, for example natural gas or petroleum. The combustion process in the burner units 21 produces hot exhaust gas 23, which must therefore also be considered an energy source. Consequently, exhaust gas heat exchangers 22 are also provided, which are also connected to the fluid circuit 15, so that the heat transfer fluid 16 can also flow through the exhaust gas heat exchangers 22. The hot exhaust gas 23 is guided into the respective exhaust gas heat exchanger 22, so that the heat transfer fluid 16 can be heated as it passes through the exhaust gas heat exchanger 22 due to the heat transfer from the hot exhaust gas 23. Heat meters 27 can also be installed in these lines, which are connected to the collecting line 25.In this respect, the heat transfer fluid 16 heated by the exhaust gas heat exchangers 22 can also be fed to the heat exchanger 19 via the collecting line 25.

[0044] The heat exchanger 19 is connected to a heat pump unit 28, and the heat pump unit 28 has an evaporator 29, which can absorb heat from the heat exchanger 19 via a likewise closed fluid circuit 51. By means of the closed fluid circuit 51, a heat transfer fluid guided therein can absorb heat from the heat exchanger 19 and transfer it to the heat pump unit, so that a larger amount of heat can be provided to an external device E with less electrical energy supplied. It is also conceivable for the heat exchanger 19 and the evaporator 29 to be designed together as a single structural unit or for the heat exchanger 19 to be part of the heat pump unit 28.

[0045] The invention is not limited in its implementation to the preferred embodiment described above. Rather, a number of variants are conceivable, which utilize the presented solution even in fundamentally different embodiments. All features and / or advantages apparent from the claims, the description, or the drawings, including structural details or spatial arrangements, may be essential to the invention both individually and in a wide variety of combinations. List of reference symbols:

[0046] 10 Laundry treatment machine 11 Laundry treatment machine 12 Laundry treatment machine 13 Hot steam 14 Steam generator 15 Fluid circuit 16 Heat transfer fluid 17 Condensation heat exchanger 18 Exhaust air 19 Heat exchanger 20 Storage tank 21 Burner unit 22 Exhaust gas heat exchanger 23 Exhaust air 24 Pump 25 Collecting line 26 Valve 27 Heat meter 28 Heat pump unit 29 Evaporator 30 Laundry treatment machine 31 Laundry treatment machine 32 Fresh water 33 Waste water 34 First waste water heat exchanger 35 Fresh water line 36 Waste water line 37 Second waste water heat exchanger 38 Intermediate circuit 39 Low-temperature heat exchanger 40 Heat pump unit 41 Evaporator 42 Waste water channel 43Pump 44Wastewater storage tank 45Fresh water storage tank 46Pump 47Pump 48Pump 49Fresh water storage tank 50Fossil energy source 51Closed fluid circuit External institution 100Laundry system

Claims

1. Laundry system (100) for treating laundry, comprising a plurality of laundry treatment machines (10, 11, 12), in particular designed as washer-extractors or cycle washing machines, which can be fed with fresh water (32) and with which warm waste water (33) can be generated, characterized in that a first waste water heat exchanger (34) is set up, to which a fresh water line (35) with the fresh water (32) and a waste water line (36) with the warm waste water (33) are supplied, so that the fresh water (32) can be heated by means of the first waste water heat exchanger (34) on the warm waste water (33), wherein a downstream second waste water heat exchanger (37) is set up, via which heat can be transferred from the waste water (33) to a heat transfer fluid guided in an intermediate circuit (38), wherein a low-temperature heat exchanger (39) is integrated in the intermediate circuit (38).

2. Laundry system (100) according to claim 1, characterized by thata heat pump unit (40) is arranged, comprising an evaporator (41) coupled to the low-temperature heat exchanger (39) to provide heat externally.

3. Laundry system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the evaporator (41) of the heat pump unit (40) is constructed as a unit with the low-temperature heat exchanger (39).

4. Laundry system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that a waste water storage tank (44) is provided in which the warm waste water (33) coming from the laundry treatment machines (10, 11, 12) can be stored.

5. Laundry system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a fresh water storage tank (45) is provided, to which the heated fresh water (32) can be fed after passing through the first waste water heat exchanger (34) and in which the heated fresh water (32) can be stored.

6. Laundry system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that in the waste water line (36) a pump (46) is installed which is designed as a centrifugal pump with a volume flow control and / or in that in the fresh water line (35) a pump (48) is installed which pumps the fresh water (32) from a fresh water reservoir (49) into the first waste water heat exchanger (34), wherein the pump (48) in the fresh water line (35) is designed as a centrifugal pump with a volume flow control.

7. Laundry system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a pump (47) is installed in the line from the fresh water storage tank (45) to the laundry treatment machines (10, 11, 12), with which pump the heated fresh water (32) in the line to the laundry treatment machines (10, 11, 12) can be maintained at pressure.

8. Laundry system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that further laundry treatment machines (10, 11, 12) are set up, in particular designed as a mangle, a tunnel finisher or as a dryer, which can be fed with hot steam (13), hot gas, thermal oil and / or with electrical energy, and wherein a closed fluid circuit (15) with a heat transfer fluid (16) circulating therein is set up, and wherein at least one condensation heat exchanger (17) is set up, to which the fluid circuit (15) is connected and via which heat from an exhaust air (18) of the laundry treatment machines (10, 11, 12) can be transferred to the heat transfer fluid (16), and wherein at least one heat exchanger (19) is set up, to which the fluid circuit (15) is connected and by means of which the heat of the heat transfer fluid (16) can be transferred to an external device (E) outside the laundry system (100).

9. Laundry system (100) according to claim 8, characterized by thata storage tank (20) is provided which is connected to the fluid circuit (15) and in which the heat transfer fluid (16) cooled in particular in the heat exchanger (19) can be stored.

10. Laundry system (100) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by that at least one steam generator (14) is set up, which serves to generate the hot steam (13) and has a burner unit (21) for generating the hot steam (13), and wherein an exhaust gas heat exchanger (22) is set up, to which the fluid circuit (15) is connected and via which heat from an exhaust air (23) can be transferred to the heat transfer fluid (16) during operation of the burner unit (21).

11. Laundry system (100) according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized by thatthe temperature of the heat transfer fluid (16) in the storage tank (20) is 20°C to 40°C and / or 25°C to 35°C and / or 30°C and / or that the temperature of the heat transfer fluid (16) in the inlet of the heat exchanger (19) is 50°C to 70°C and / or 55°C to 65°C and / or 60°C.

12. Laundry system (100) according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized by that a pump (24) is arranged between the storage tank (20) and the at least one condensation heat exchanger (17), with which the heat transfer fluid (16) can be circulated in the closed fluid circuit (15).

13. Laundry system (100) according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized by that a heat pump unit (28) is arranged, comprising an evaporator (29) which is coupled to or forms the heat exchanger (19) in order to provide heat externally.

14. A method for operating a laundry system (100) for treating laundry, comprising a plurality of laundry treatment machines (10, 11, 12), in particular designed as a mangle, a tunnel finisher, or a dryer, which are fed with hot steam (13), hot gas, thermal oil, and / or electrical energy provided by at least one steam generator (14), the method comprising at least the following steps: - setting up a closed fluid circuit (15) with a heat transfer fluid (16) circulating therein, - setting up at least one condensation heat exchanger (17) and connecting the fluid circuit (15) to the condensation heat exchanger (17), - transferring heat from an exhaust air (18) of the laundry treatment machines (10, 11, 12) to the heat transfer fluid (16) by means of the condensation heat exchanger (17),- setting up at least one heat exchanger (19) and connecting the fluid circuit (15) to the heat exchanger (19) and - transferring heat of the heat transfer fluid (16) to a device outside the laundry system (100) by means of the heat exchanger (19), in particular to a heat pump unit (28) having an evaporator (29) which is coupled to the heat exchanger (19) or forms the latter.

15. Method according to claim 14, characterized bythe further steps: - setting up further laundry treatment machines (30, 31), in particular washer-extractors or cycle washing machines, which are fed with fresh water (32) and with which warm waste water (33) is generated, - setting up a first waste water heat exchanger (34), to which a fresh water line (35) with the fresh water (32) and a waste water line (36) with the warm waste water (33) are fed, - heating the fresh water (32) by means of the first waste water heat exchanger (34) on the warm waste water (33), and / or - setting up a subsequent second waste water heat exchanger (37) and an intermediate circuit (38), - transferring heat from the waste water (33) to a heat transfer fluid guided in the intermediate circuit (38),and - incorporating a low-temperature heat exchanger (39) in the intermediate circuit (38) and / or - setting up a heat pump unit (40) comprising an evaporator (41) and coupling the evaporator (41) to the low-temperature heat exchanger (39) to provide heat to an external device (E).

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