Sorption Column Drying for Low-Energy Dishwasher Air Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for drying in dishwashers are energy-intensive, with high energy requirements for heating the rinsing liquid and air, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage to surrounding kitchen furniture due to vented moist air.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a sorption column with reversibly dehydratable material to draw and heat air, reducing the need for pre-heating items and minimizing energy expenditure by leveraging condensation heat for drying, and using a closed air system to prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If heating systems are used to heat the rinsing liquid and air during drying, then drying efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor during evaporation, and the reverse phase transition from vapor to liquid during condensation. The condensation process releases latent heat that is captured and used to drive further evaporation, creating a self-sustaining thermal cycle that eliminates the need for external heating systems while maintaining high drying efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the evaporation and condensation processes into a single integrated system where the condensation heat directly powers the evaporation process. By combining these two phase transition processes and using the condensation heat to drive evaporation, the system achieves energy self-sufficiency without requiring separate heating systems
2Productivity
If moist air is vented outwards during drying, then moisture is removed from the treatment chamber, but surrounding kitchen furniture is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful moist air that would otherwise damage furniture into a beneficial resource. By capturing the moist air and passing it through condensing surfaces, the system extracts the moisture and releases only dry air, transforming the potential harm into useful condensation heat and preventing furniture damage
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces condensing surfaces as an intermediary between the treatment chamber and the surrounding environment. This intermediary component condenses the moisture from the moist air, allowing only dry air to be vented outwards, thereby protecting kitchen furniture while maintaining effective moisture removal
3Productivity
If heating systems are used to heat the rinsing liquid, then sufficient heat is transferred to vaporize water, but thermal energy is lost after the drying process
Solution Approach 1:
The invention establishes a continuous thermal cycle where condensation heat continuously drives evaporation, which in turn continuously produces moist air for condensation. This continuous cycle ensures that thermal energy is constantly regenerated and reused, eliminating energy loss and maintaining sustained vaporization efficiency without external heating
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 approach significantly reduces energy consumption, enhances drying efficiency, and prevents kitchen furniture damage by using the sorption column's thermal energy for heating and moisture absorption, ensuring effective and economical drying.
Implementation Method 1
the sorption column contains reversibly dehydratable material and moisture is withdrawn from the air during the passage thereof
Implementation Method 2
the air is heated during passage from the sorption column by heat of condensation
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a device with at least one partial programme step of drying may be achieved with which it is possible to operate devices with at least a partial operating step of drying as economically as possible, with efficient drying of the material for drying and keeping the associated energy requirement as low as possible, whereby, during the at least one partial programme step of drying, air is drawn from a treatment chamber and/or from the ambient air, through an absorption column and then introduced into the treatment chamber, whereby the absorption column contains a reversible dehydrating agent and humidity is drawn from the air during the passage thereof.