Steam compression dryer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical steam compression dryers face inefficiencies in energy and moisture management during the drying process, leading to energy losses and prolonged drying times, especially when dealing with fibrous materials like laundry.
Innovation Solution
A dryer apparatus and method that utilizes a closed air-vapor mixture cycle with heat exchangers to efficiently transfer latent heat, featuring a compressor to manage pressure and temperature, and a controller to regulate phases including an Over Drying Phase for optimal moisture removal, allowing for user-controlled parameters and energy conservation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a mechanical steam compression dryer uses water in the form of steam to dry materials, then the drying capability is improved, but energy losses occur during the drying process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of water (liquid to vapor to liquid) to transfer heat efficiently. Steam is generated from liquid water, used to dry materials, then condensed back to liquid in the heat exchanger, releasing latent heat that is recovered and reused in the process, minimizing energy losses while maintaining high drying capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers energy that would otherwise be discarded. The condensation latent heat from the steam cycle is captured in the heat exchanger and reused to generate new steam, creating a closed-loop system that minimizes energy waste while sustaining continuous drying operation
2Loss of energy
If the dryer operates with a closed air-vapor mixture cycle, then energy efficiency is improved, but moisture management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger acts as an intermediary device that manages moisture and heat transfer in the closed cycle. It facilitates the condensation of steam and recovery of latent heat, simplifying the overall moisture management process while maintaining high energy efficiency in the closed air-vapor mixture cycle
Solution Approach 2:
The closed cycle system creates a feedback loop where condensed moisture and recovered heat are fed back into the system. The heat exchanger captures condensation latent heat and returns it to generate steam, while the closed cycle continuously recirculates and manages moisture, improving energy efficiency through self-regulating feedback mechanisms
3Power
If a compressor is used to compress and motivate air-vapor mixture flow through heat exchangers, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compressor serves multiple functions: it compresses the air-vapor mixture to increase temperature and pressure for efficient heat transfer, and it motivates the flow of the mixture through the heat exchangers. This multi-functionality improves heat transfer efficiency while minimizing the addition of separate components, thereby controlling device complexity
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
The solution enhances energy efficiency by minimizing energy and moisture losses, reducing drying time, and ensuring thorough drying with controlled phases, resulting in a more effective and user-friendly drying process for fibrous materials.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor (140) that is configured to compress and motivate a part of said first air-vapor mixture flow as a second air-vapor mixture flow
Implementation Method 2
The first heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat between the compressed second air-vapor mixture toward said first air-vapor mixture
Implementation Method 3
the second heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat from the second air-vapor mixture toward fluid originated from outside of the apparatus
Implementation Method 4
part of the second air-vapor mixture condenses creating a gas and liquid mixture within the first and/or second heat exchanger
Implementation Method 5
a heating device (130) that is configured to heat said first air-vapor mixture
Data Source
AI summary
A dryer apparatus is disclosed comprising a container having a container inlet and outlet, a pump that is configured to motivate a first air-vapor mixture flow via the container inlet and via the container outlet, a heating device configured to heat the first air-vapor mixture, a selector with at least two states, a compressor that is configured to compress and motivate a part of the first air-vapor mixture flow as a second air-vapor mixture flow, to flow through a first heat exchanger and to flow through a second heat exchanger and a pressure reducing device that is configured to reduce the pressure of said second air-vapor mixture downstream said first heat exchanger. The selector is configured to direct most of the first air-vapor mixture to flow in a closed cycle through the container, or configured to exchange most of the first air-vapor mixture with air located outside the apparatus.