Influence of load mass and drum speed on fabric motion and performance of a heat pump tumble dryer

Abstract

The present study investigates fabric motion in the drum and its effect on performance parameters of a domestic heat pump tumble dryer in several operating points, defined by different load masses and drum speeds. Fabric motion in the drum was recorded by using a high-speed camera and evaluated statistically in order to determine the relation between the fabric distribution and the dryer performance parameters. Multiple regression analysis was performed to develop models for condensate mass flow rate as a function of drum speed, load mass, and drying stage. The results enable optimization of dryer operating parameters with respect to energy efficiency, drying time per kilogram of fabric, and condensate mass flow rate.

Keywords:

• Heat pump tumble dryer
• fabric motion
• heat and mass transfer
• regression analysis
• energy efficiency

Additional information

Funding

The authors acknowledge the financial support from the Slovenian Research Agency (research core Funding No. P2-0401). The article is in part the result of work in the implementation of the Operation entitled SPS – IQDOM, co-financed by the Republic of Slovenia and the European Union under the European Regional Development Fund (OP20.00376).