Gas-Heated Wash Water Loop for Lower-Loss Laundry Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry systems face high energy consumption due to the need for heating water to high temperatures, often requiring extensive and energy-inefficient steam boilers and piping, which incur energy losses and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
A washing system with multiple interconnected washing compartments, where water is directly heated by a gas burning device using a helical-tube heat exchanger and a self-cleaning water filter, allowing for efficient energy transfer and reduced energy losses, with the heater device being a separate, compact unit outside the washing machine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If steam injection method is used to heat water, then water temperature can be increased, but energy losses increase and system complexity increases due to required steam boiler and piping
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is extracted from the central steam boiler system and relocated to a self-contained heater device positioned directly within the washing machine. This heater device uses a heat exchanger to heat water locally, eliminating the need for extensive steam piping and reducing energy transmission losses.
Solution Approach 2:
A heat exchanger is introduced as an intermediary component between the fuel source (gas burner) and the washing water. The heat exchanger efficiently transfers thermal energy from the combustion process to the water without requiring direct contact or complex steam distribution infrastructure.
2Temperature
If steam injection method is used to heat water, then water temperature can be increased, but device complexity increases due to central energy supply system requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into a modular heater device that can be independently installed within the washing machine. This segmentation separates the heating function from the central boiler system, allowing the washing machine to operate independently without relying on complex central energy infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating capability is extracted and integrated directly into the washing machine as a self-contained unit, eliminating the need for external steam boilers and extensive piping networks, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Temperature
If steam injection method is used to heat water, then water temperature can be increased, but maintenance requirements increase due to extensive piping
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is extracted from the central infrastructure and consolidated into a compact, self-contained heater device located within the washing machine. This eliminates extensive external piping that would require regular maintenance and inspection.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater device is designed as a self-contained unit with all necessary components (burner, heat exchanger, controls) integrated together, making it easier to maintain and repair as a single module rather than dealing with distributed piping systems across the facility.
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 significantly reduces energy consumption by directly heating wash water with a gas burning device, providing stable water temperatures without the need for a central energy supply, and simplifies maintenance by using a self-cleaning filter and compact heater unit.
Implementation Method 1
the heater device comprises a helical-tube heat exchange portion positioned in the external connection and a gas burning device for heating the helical-tube heat exchange portion
Implementation Method 2
a gas burning device for heating the helical-tube heat exchange portion
Implementation Method 3
a pump unit is provided for pumping water from the water outlet to the water inlet through the external connection
Implementation Method 4
a water filter is provided in the external connection between the water outlet and the helical-tube heat exchange portion
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A washing system provided with a washing container (3) for washing laundry and provided with a heater device (5) for heating water in the washing container. In order to achieve a high energy efficiency the washing container is provided with a water outlet (3a), a water inlet (3b) and an external connection (7) extending between the water outlet and the water inlet. A pump unit (11) is provided for pumping water from the water outlet to the water inlet through the external connection. The heater device comprises a gas burning device for heating a helical tube heat exchange portion (9c) in said connection. A water filter is provided for filtering the water.