Dryer Load Control for Peak Power Rate Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drying machines face challenges in reducing peak power consumption during high electricity rates, leading to increased operational costs and delayed laundry drying, as they often need to stop or reduce operations based on fluctuating power rates without compromising drying efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A drying machine equipped with a controller that adjusts the operation rate of its motor and heater in response to real-time power rate information, dividing the drying cycle into heating and non-heating periods and optimizing the operation of the highest power-consuming loads to minimize energy usage during peak hours while ensuring desired dryness levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the drying machine stops operation during high power rate periods, then electricity costs are reduced, but the user cannot obtain dried laundry at the desired time
Solution Approach 1:
The drying machine dynamically adjusts its operation rate based on real-time power rate information. The controller monitors power rates and modulates the heating and drying processes accordingly, transitioning between different operational states (full operation, reduced operation, pause) to optimize the balance between energy cost and drying time completion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by completing as much of the drying process as possible during low power rate periods before high power rate periods begin. The controller plans and executes drying tasks in advance during economical time zones, reducing the need for operation during expensive periods.
2Productivity
If the drying machine operates during high power rate periods, then laundry drying is completed on time, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes operational parameters (heating power, drum rotation speed, air circulation rate) based on power rate conditions. During high power rate periods, the controller reduces these parameters to lower consumption while maintaining sufficient drying progress, and increases them during low power rate periods for faster drying.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying machine employs periodic heating and drying cycles rather than continuous operation. The controller alternates between active drying phases and pause phases, particularly utilizing pause periods during high power rate times while maintaining progress during low power rate periods.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the drying machine divides the drying cycle into heating and non-heating periods, then power consumption is optimized, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drying cycle is segmented into distinct heating periods and non-heating periods. The controller divides the overall drying process into manageable phases, applying different operational modes to each segment based on power rate conditions, thereby optimizing energy consumption through structured temporal division.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively reduces energy consumption by aligning the drying machine's operation with lower power rate periods, maintaining efficiency and user satisfaction by ensuring timely and adequately dried laundry.
Implementation Method 1
a heater to heat air provided to the drum
Implementation Method 2
a fan to circulate air within the drum
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a drying machine which includes a drum, a fan to circulate air within the drum, and at least one heater to heat air provided to the drum, and uses the motor and the at least one heater as a load, includes, upon receiving a drying process command from a user, receiving power rate information for each hour from an energy management system (EMS), recognizing current power rates on the basis of the power rate information for each hour, determining whether the current power rates are higher than reference power rates by comparing the current power rates with the reference power rates, and adjusting the operation rate of any one of the motor and the at least one heater when the current power rates are higher than the reference power rates. The drying machine changes the load operation rate before the power rates exceed the reference power rates, resulting in reduction in power consumption. Furthermore, as the drying machine can prevent total power consumption from being rapidly increased, the power plant need not be additionally driven to generate more electricity. As a result, the drying machine reduces environmental impact and prevents power rates from being increased.