Textile Drum Dryer Moisture Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drum dryers for textile webs face inefficiencies in energy consumption due to non-uniform moisture removal and inability to optimize humidity climate, leading to suboptimal energy use and temperature measurement inaccuracies.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of humidity measuring elements and a controller to adjust heat supply and fan power based on real-time moisture levels, with separate drying zones and heat recovery systems to minimize energy input and achieve precise residual moisture control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If conventional drum dryers operate with constant heat supply and fan power, then the drying process is simple to control, but energy consumption is high and moisture removal is non-uniform

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from constant heat supply and fan power to dynamic, variable control. The heat supply and fan power are continuously adjusted based on real-time moisture measurements from sensors positioned at different locations (inlet, intermediate, outlet). This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize energy consumption while maintaining uniform moisture removal throughout the drying process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control through moisture sensors that continuously monitor the moisture content of the textile web at various stages of drying. These sensors provide real-time data to the control system, which then adjusts the heat supply and fan power accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables precise control of the drying process, reducing energy waste while achieving uniform drying results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If multiple temperature sensors are arranged around the drum to measure drum surface temperature, then drum temperature monitoring is improved, but the measurement does not accurately reflect the textile web moisture content

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture content measurement accuracyVSAvoidsensor arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses moisture sensors as intermediaries that directly measure the moisture content of the textile web rather than inferring it from drum temperature. These sensors are positioned to contact or closely monitor the textile web at inlet, intermediate, and outlet positions, providing direct measurement data that accurately reflects the actual moisture state of the material being dried.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the measurement system into multiple segmented sensing points along the drying path (inlet, intermediate, outlet). Each sensor monitors a specific section of the drying process, allowing the control system to understand moisture distribution throughout the entire drying chamber and adjust parameters accordingly for uniform drying.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Use of energy by moving object

If heat recovery devices are used to reduce energy loss, then energy efficiency is improved, but the humidity level in drying zones cannot be optimized for minimal energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidhumidity control adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines heat recovery with dynamic humidity control by using moisture sensors to continuously monitor and adjust the humidity levels in different drying zones. While the heat recovery system captures and reuses exhaust heat, the dynamic sensor-based control adapts the humidity in each zone (inlet, intermediate, outlet) to optimal levels, preventing over-drying and energy waste while maintaining flexibility for different textile types and drying requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 enables minimal energy consumption by optimizing drying performance in each zone, ensuring the textile web achieves the required residual moisture level with reduced energy input, while improving temperature and humidity control accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

a moisture measuring element is arranged in or downstream of the opening in the drum with which the moisture content of the drying air extracted from the inside can be measured

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHumidity measurement: Hygrometer

Implementation Method 2

Heating elements located in the heating and fan compartment provide the heat necessary to warm the drying air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

a fan is provided with which moist drying air can be extracted from the inside of the drum through an opening in the drum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 4

the removal of moisture from the textile web is not uniform in each drying chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3244150B1Dryer for web of textile fabric with a device for operation using minimal energy and method for same
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 TRUETZSCHLER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3244150B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3244150B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3244150B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a dryer (100) for a textile web (1) with at least one drying chamber (10) in which at least one air-permeable drum (11) is rotatably arranged, which can be partially enclosed by the web (1) and wherein the web (1) can be permeated with heated drying air, and wherein a fan (12) is provided with which moist drying air can be extracted from the inside (14) of the drum (11) through an opening (13) of the drum (11) and a circulation of the drying air back into the drying chamber (10) can be formed, and wherein a heat supply (15) is provided with which heat can be supplied to the drying air.According to the invention, a moisture measuring element (16) is arranged in or downstream of the opening (13) with which the moisture content of the drying air extracted from the inside (14) can be measured, and the dryer (100) has a control (17) which is designed to control at least the heat supply (15) depending on the measured moisture content of the drying air extracted from the inside (14).