Method for operating a dryer with a heat pump and flushing of a heat exchanger and dryer
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Solution Overview
Problem
The cleaning of heat exchangers in dryers with heat pumps is inefficient and labor-intensive, leading to potential deterioration in dryer efficiency and increased risk of malfunction due to the inability to adapt cleaning frequency and intensity to soiling levels.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a dryer with a heat pump that involves using condensate from a condensate pan to flexibly and efficiently clean the heat exchanger, with a counting device to determine the need for flushing based on the number of drying programs and a flushing device to administer the appropriate quantity of aqueous liquid, allowing for automatic and adaptable cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the heat exchanger is cleaned manually by removal and rinsing, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to firm connections in heat pump systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically cleans the heat exchanger using its own condensate water resource. The control unit activates the pump to transport condensate from the condensate container through the heat exchanger, and the flushing device distributes the water for cleaning without requiring manual removal or external water sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a flushing device as an intermediary component that distributes condensate water to the heat exchanger surfaces. This mediator enables effective cleaning by directing water flow to difficult-to-reach areas, achieving thorough cleaning without requiring disassembly.
2Reliability
If cleaning is performed frequently, then reliability is improved, but loss of substance worsens due to unnecessary rinsing
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors the operation count and activates cleaning only when the predetermined number of drying programs has been completed. This feedback mechanism ensures cleaning is performed at appropriate intervals, avoiding both excessive cleaning and insufficient cleaning, thereby optimizing water usage while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the cleaning parameter from continuous or manual operation to conditional automated operation based on the number of drying programs. This parameter change optimizes water consumption by performing cleaning only when necessary, based on accumulated usage rather than fixed schedules.
3Loss of time
If the heat exchanger is not cleaned, then loss of time is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to soiling and potential malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs cleaning automatically after a predetermined number of drying programs without requiring user intervention. This preliminary automated action prevents soiling accumulation that would lead to malfunctions, ensuring reliability while minimizing time loss by integrating cleaning into the normal operation cycle.
4Adaptability or versatility
If manual cleaning is required, then adaptability worsens, but ease of operation improves due to simple cleaning procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The system adapts to different operating conditions by automatically determining when cleaning is needed based on the number of drying programs performed. The control unit manages the entire cleaning process, including activating the pump and flushing device, providing both adaptability to usage patterns and ease of operation through full automation.
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 method enables efficient and flexible cleaning of heat exchangers, reducing the risk of malfunction and maintaining dryer efficiency by ensuring timely and adequate cleaning without manual intervention or unnecessary rinsing attempts.
Implementation Method 1
The heat pump can be used to extract heat from the process air flowing off the moist objects, which is applied to a corresponding heat sink for this purpose, and to conduct this heat by means of a suitable pump device to a heat source
Implementation Method 2
the warm, moisture-laden process air is essentially cooled in an evaporator of the heat pump, where the transferred heat is used to evaporate a refrigerant circulating in the heat pump
Implementation Method 3
The condensed water is then generally collected in a suitable container
Implementation Method 4
The vaporized refrigerant reaches the compressor and is compressed there. The refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit is driven by the compressor, so that the compressor supplies the energy required to operate the pumping process
Implementation Method 5
From the compressor it goes to the condenser, where it is liquefied with the release of heat. The released heat heats the process air
Implementation Method 6
a condensate pump for conveying an aqueous liquid from the condensate pan to the condensate tank
Implementation Method 7
a flushing device connected to the condensate tank for at least one of the heat exchangers
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a corresponding drier with a heat pump (4, 5, 13, 14) and internal rinsing of at least one heat exchanger (4, 5), comprising a condensate tank (7), a condensate container (8), a condensate pump (9) for conveying an aqueous liquuid (12) from the condensate tank (7) to the condensate container (8), a rinsing device (15) connected to the condensate container (8), a control device (10), and a counting device (11) for a number of drying programs carried out, wherein the counting device (11) can record at least one counter reading ni where i ≥ 1, said method comprising the following steps: (a) starting a drying program; (b) increasing the counter reading ni by a value of 1 and checking whether the obtained counter reading is mi = (n i +1) = n set i, where n set i is a pre-defined number of drying programs carried out since a last rinsing of the heat exchanger; (c) in the event that m i = n set i: (c1) determination of the quantity M of aqueous liquid (12) conveyed during the drying program from the condensate tank (7) to the condensate container (8); (c2) comparison of the determined quantity M with a quantity M se t provided for rinsing the heat exchanger; (c3) rinsing the heat exchanger (4, 5) with the rinsing device (15) when M ≥ M set; (c4) restoring the counter reading n i to zero; and (d) in the event that m i < n set i, implementing and ending the drying program without rinsing the heat exchanger.