Laundry system with effective use of air and method for same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry systems inefficiently utilize the heat energy from hot exhaust air, leading to high energy consumption in drying processes.
Innovation Solution
A laundry system with a central collecting channel and heat exchanger system that uses hot exhaust air from mangles to preheat dryers and generate hot water or steam, reducing the need for additional heating and optimizing energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If hot exhaust air from mangles is directed to a central heat exchanger for heat recovery, then heat energy can be recovered and reused, but the temperature of the exhaust air decreases and additional heating is required to reach dryer temperature requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the exhaust air handling into separate pathways: one path directs exhaust air through heat exchangers for thermal energy recovery to preheat fresh air, while another path transports the same exhaust air through insulation to dryers where it serves as direct heating medium. This segmentation allows the system to utilize exhaust air for both heat recovery and direct heating without requiring additional heating equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines multiple functions into the exhaust air system: heat recovery through heat exchangers, direct heating of dryers, and potential steam generation. By merging these functions and using the exhaust air for multiple purposes simultaneously, the system maximizes energy utilization while maintaining adequate temperature levels for all processes.
2Loss of energy
If conventional heat exchangers are used to recover heat from exhaust air, then some heat energy is recovered, but the heat exchangers have limited efficiency and cannot recover all available heat
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust air itself serves dual purposes: it provides thermal energy for preheating fresh air through heat exchangers and simultaneously serves as the heating medium for dryers. The system uses the exhaust air's own thermal properties to fulfill multiple heating requirements, eliminating the need for complex multi-stage heat recovery systems or additional heating equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust air system is designed to perform multiple functions: heat recovery for preheating, direct heating of dryers, and potential steam generation. This multi-functionality allows a single exhaust air stream to serve various heating needs throughout the laundry system, maximizing energy utilization without requiring separate specialized equipment for each function.
3Device complexity
If exhaust air is immediately discharged without utilization, then system complexity is minimized, but significant heat energy is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system ensures continuous utilization of exhaust air thermal energy through multiple pathways: heat exchangers continuously recover heat for preheating fresh air, while insulated ducts continuously transport exhaust air to dryers for direct heating. This continuous multi-pathway utilization maximizes energy recovery without requiring complex batch processing or storage systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces heat exchangers as intermediary devices that transfer thermal energy from exhaust air to fresh air, while insulated ducts act as intermediaries to transport exhaust air to dryers. These intermediary elements enable efficient heat transfer and transport without significantly increasing system complexity, allowing the exhaust air's thermal energy to be utilized in multiple locations simultaneously.
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
Reduces energy consumption by directly utilizing the heat from mangle exhaust air to operate dryers and other laundry equipment, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a central heat exchanger is provided and connected to the collecting channel, so that the exhaust air from the collecting channel can be introduced into the heat exchanger and a heat transfer fluid of the central heat exchanger can be heated
Implementation Method 2
a central heat pump is provided and connected to the heat exchanger, wherein the heat of the heat transfer fluid can be absorbed by means of the heat pump and hot water under internal pressure and/or hot steam can be provided
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a laundry system (1) for energy-reduced treatment of laundry, comprising several mangles (10) for drying and smoothing the laundry and several dryers (11) for drying the laundry, wherein the mangles (10) emit hot exhaust air (12) during operation, wherein at least one conduit (13) is provided between the mangles (10) and the dryers (11), through which the hot exhaust air (12) can be supplied to the dryers (11) for their operation.According to the invention, a central collecting channel (19) is provided into which exhaust air from the dryers (11) can be introduced via exhaust air lines (20), wherein a central heat exchanger (27) is provided and connected to the collecting channel (19), so that the exhaust air (12) from the collecting channel (19) can be introduced into the heat exchanger (27) and a heat transfer fluid (28) of the central heat exchanger (27) can be heated, and wherein a central heat pump (29) is provided and connected to the heat exchanger (27), wherein the heat of the heat transfer fluid (28) can be absorbed by means of the heat pump (29) and hot water under internal pressure and/or superheated steam can be provided.