Particulate Drum Drying for Low-Temperature Fabric Moisture Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Tumble drying processes consume high levels of energy and cause fabric creasing and damage due to the use of high temperatures and mechanical stress, leading to inefficient drying and increased ironing requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing solid particulate material in a drum with perforated side walls, rotated to enhance mechanical interaction with the substrate, allowing for efficient drying at lower temperatures and reduced creasing by optimizing G forces and particle characteristics such as size, shape, and material, while using recycled particles for subsequent drying cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high temperatures are used for prolonged periods to achieve required drying performance, then drying effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from high (conventional) to low (invention), and compensates by modifying the mechanical action parameters (drum rotation pattern, fabric movement) to enhance water release at lower temperatures, achieving equivalent drying performance with reduced energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic tumbling cycles with alternating rotation directions and varying speeds, creating periodic mechanical stress on the fabric that promotes intermittent water release and evaporation, allowing efficient drying without continuous high-temperature exposure
2Productivity
If conventional mechanical action is used to promote water evaporation, then drying is achieved, but fabric creasing and damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic drum rotation with varying speeds and alternating directions rather than constant rotation, creating controlled dynamic mechanical action that promotes water evaporation while reducing cumulative fabric stress and creasing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ambient or heated air as an intermediary medium that facilitates water evaporation from the fabric surface, reducing the need for intense mechanical action and thereby minimizing fabric damage while maintaining drying efficiency
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
Achieves efficient drying performance at reduced temperatures, lowering energy consumption and fabric damage, with the ability to reuse particles for consecutive drying cycles, enhancing both environmental and economic benefits.
Implementation Method 1
Mechanical action in a conventional, horizontal axis tumble dryer is generated by the forces acting on the fabric through falling and hitting either other fabric or the dryer inner drum surface, whilst the fabric is interacting with the forced hot air flow. This results in release and evaporation of water from within the fabric
Implementation Method 2
a rotatably mounted cylindrical cage... wherein the cage and the drum are concentrically located within a stationary cylindrical drum... the rotatably mounted cylindrical cage and the rotatably mounted cylindrical drum are adapted to rotate independently
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention provides a method for the drying of a wet substrate, the method comprising treating the substrate with a solid particulate material at ambient or elevated temperature, the treatment being carried out in an apparatus comprising a drum comprising perforated side walls, wherein the drum comprising perforated side walls is rotated so as to facilitate increased mechanical action between the substrate and the particulate material. Preferably, the drum comprising perforated side walls has a capacity of between 5 and 50 litres for each kg of fabric in the load and is rotated at a speed which generates G forces in the range of from 0.05 to 0.99 G, and the method is carried out at a temperature of between 5° and 120°C. Preferably, the solid particulate material comprises a multiplicity of particles at a particle to fabric addition level of 0.1 :1- 10:1 by mass, wherein the particles comprise polymeric particles, non-polymeric particles, or mixtures of polymeric and non-polymeric particles. All particles may be solid or hollow in their structure, have smooth or irregular surface features, and are of such a shape and size as to allow for good flowability and intimate contact with the wet substrate. The invention provides optimum drying performance as a result of improved mechanical interaction between substrate and particulate media and is preferably used for the drying of textile fabrics. The method allows for significant reduction in the consumption of energy when compared with the conventional tumble drying of textile fabrics, and also facilitates reduced textile fabric damage.