Efficiency experts

1 January 2005



LCN International examines the key trends that determine the future design of dryers


At a time of rising energy prices, the laundering industry remains a big energy user. Drying is one of the most energy-consuming processes in the laundry and many laundries are now seeking ways of further reducing their bills, a point not lost on the machine manufacturers themselves.

Both labour and energy are becoming more and more of an issue in laundries, according to Kannegiesser. Laundry managers look for opportunities to save money in these areas, says the company, a view shared by many others in the sector.

The main trend in the dryer market is in making the best possible use of energy, says Alliance, through:

• reduction of energy consumption

• re-circulation of air flow

• improving the output of the dryer by recovering part of the calorific energy from the outlet.

Another trend is the use of microprocessors that allow for greater programming flexibility. This flexibility will aid in extending linen life by allowing for proper dry times and temperatures based on linen requirements.

Heat recovery is part of a new technology that is slowly finding its way into markets throughout the world, according to America Dryer Corp (ADC). Heat recovery units take the heat from dryers and use it to heat the water going into the washing machines.

Milnor

The 64058 automated pass-through dryer (shown) from Milnor in the USA is said to deliver greater airflow and provide a larger drum size.Both features help provide greater productivity in large laundries and can reduce the number of dryers needed in the washroom.

Milnor dryers are used in a variety of environments from washrooms to large automated laundries and range in size from small, stand-alone units to large pass-through dryers capable of processing hundreds of kilograms per hour.

Jensen-Senking

Jensen-Senking has developed the Senking DT, which combines an outstanding evaporation performance combined with a long life sealing concept and high-energy efficiency.

The main features are an extended perforated dryer drum surface combined with high performance heating devices and advanced ventilation system, trimming the shortest drying time to around 10 minutes.

Specially designed seals keep the inner drum insulated from by-pass airflow even after 10,000 hours of operation. The gas burner version comes with a modulating burner providing exactly the KW energy required for evaporation. The gas-heated version is equipped with a standard heat recovery device. Heat recovery is an option for steam-heated dryers. This additional equipment can save heat energy up to 30%. Each dryer control includes a fully flexible gear drive control allowing different rotational speeds, so reducing linen tangling by rotational drum control. A tilting function reduces the unloading time.

The Senking DT series also provides two automatic solutions for lint cleaning. In one, a decentralised system automatically removes the lint from a filter screen, sending it into bags underneath the dryer legs, whilst in the second, a lint collection system reduces the cleaning frequency to once a day or less by means of a central bag.

Ipso

The most recent dryer development for Ipso of Belgium concerns its range of CD dryers, which are controlled either by DX3, a flexible microprocessor with three, freely adaptable programs, or by PRO-HC, a professional control with extensive features.

The DX3 allows the operator to change drying time, temperature and cool-down; while PRO-HC is a professional control allowing free programming of parameters (time, temperature, cool-down, anti-wrinkle and residual moisture).

The CD dryer range has especially been specially developed for the European market in answer to the increasing demand for more energy efficiency. The range includes models with capacities from 6.6kg (CD 165), 9kg (the CD 220 pictured here) and 14kg (CD 350). Every model, available in coin-op or OPL versions, can be equipped with electric, gas or steam heating.

Extra benefits of the range are the compact dimensions, diagonal airflow, the large door opening of 180° and ease of maintenance.

Primus

Primus has focused on energy consumption and drying capability in the development of its range of T-dryers. This resulted in an airflow concept called Radax that combines radial and axial airflow.

With this combination of axial and radial airflow, the heated air is transferred both through the perforations in the back panel and the side of the drum.

The exhaust perforations are in the front of the drum. The front and back perforations are divided by a seal so that all the hot air has to go through the drum and through the linen and there is no loss of hot air between the outer tub and the inner drum.

The T-dryers have a very flexible and easy to use electronic microprocessor, and can be provided with a humidity control system (Sensodry).

The T-dryers are available in the following capacities: 11kg, 13kg, 16kg, 24 kg (pictured), 35kg and 2x13kg.

Alliance laundry systems

The CARE System from USA-based Alliance Laundry Systems is a fire suppression system designed to diminish laundry fires in dryer cylinders. Created for institutional laundries, the CARE system monitors the ambient temperature inside the dryer cylinder.

The system’s independent control shuts down the tumbler if it senses extreme temperature and sprays the tumbler contents with water. The system continues to monitor the cylinder temperature and will reactivate if necessary. It can also be connected to an auxiliary alarm to notify the local fire department.

American dryer corp (ADC)

American Dryer Corp. (ADC) says its SAFE system has

now become standard on all computerised ADC on-premise dryers (like the 310 pictured here). The SAFE system will suppress fires in a dryer tumbler whether the dryer is in operation or not.

Unlike a typical water sprinkler, the system used to douse the fire in a SAFE dryer stops after a pre-set period of time, so reducing water damage to the premises. Because the fire is extinguished within seconds, there is no time for the fire to spread to other areas which may result in a costly evacuation of the laundry premises.

After a general inspection the dryer is ready to operate again.

Domus

Domus of Spain has introduced two new models of tumbler dryers, one of 10kg and the other 16 kg, which will be ready for export from March.

Unveiled recently at Hostelco, the machines feature a narrower body, less than 80cm, and a skinplate body, in a white or metal look, to match the look of the company’s washer extractors.

This latter modification will be adapted to the rest of range, with a slight modification of the capacities as well, to match better the range of washer-extractors.

So the present 27kg dryer (pictured here) will become 25kg to go with the 26kg washer, the 37kg will turn into 40kgs to match the 40kg washer, and the 50kg will become 60kg.The 85kg and 125kg dryers should remain as they are now.

Domus tumble dryers also offer a combination of a direct drive system and a frequency Inverter.

Other distinctive features include the Easy Clean filter, which consists of a washable filter bag, a choice of either standard or reversing drum in all ranges, a stainless steel drum, optional humidity control, three types of heating (electric, gas, steam) and two control options.

Kannegiesser

Kannegiesser of Germany describes its high-capacity dryers in the PowerDry range as the latest development in drying technology.

The PowerDry (seen here) is a universal dryer, which can be used for pre-drying, shaking out and full drying of a wide variety of articles. The dryers are designed for batches of 60kg, 85kg and 120kg.

For an effective drying result a good and enduring contact between the linen and hot air is required. The PowerDry ensures this by featuring an extra large drum diameter of 1,270mm for the 60 kg machine and 1,515mm for the 85kg and 120kg machines. A short drum depth helps to shorten unloading times, and the rotational speed of the drum is controlled by a frequency inverter.

Heat recirculation is available as an option. This system recirculates up to 80% of the process air which saves about 33% of energy.

A further innovation is an infrared sensor that constantly measures the surface temperature of the textile. The drying control program regulates the amount of heat distributed to the linen according to this input.

InfraTouch helps avoid damaged linen due to over-temperature and over drying, with cycle times said to be between 10-50 % shorter than time-controlled dryers.

Girbau

OPL dryers from Girbau in Spain offer a multiple cycle that permits machine programming to improve the energy resources in any drying application, thanks to the introduction of microprocessor control.

A powerful and well-sized heating system along with the high air flow provided by the fan, provide a well balanced air/heat flow. The dryers feature a cool-down cycle to achieve optimum cool-down temperatures for different types of fabrics.

The anti-wrinkle feature, which initiates a periodic unheated tumble action, reduces wrinkles when loads are not attended to following the end-of-cycle signal.

In addition, Girbau has unveiled its heavy duty ST100 batch dryer (pictured) which has the patented Spirotilt-Girbau, described as a revolutionary system which optimises the drying process and facilitates the unloading of the laundry.

During the drying process, the drum rotates in a clockwise direction. The inclined blades counteract the tendency of the laundered items to accumulate in one end of the drum by forcing the laundry to move towards the front part. The load is balanced along the length of the drum which allows an optimal drying process without the need for gaskets.

The inclination of the drum and the effect of the blades increase the tendency of the load to move towards the exterior. For unloading the fan is stopped and the dryer is not tilted.

Electrolux Laundry Systems

To complement its range of recently-launched washer extractors that completes a range of machines from 5.5kg up to 110kg, Electrolux Laundry Systems has developed two new dryers.

The existing range of dryers runs from 5.5kg (130 litres) to 50kg (1,000 litres) with several options available to meet market demand.

Electrolux Laundry Systems has introduced two new dryers in the range of OPL dryers, the T3900 with a capacity of 45kg (900 litres) and the T31200 with a capacity of 60kg (1,200 litres).

With high performance and low energy consumption in focus during product development, the T3900 and T31200 are described as high performing heavy-duty tumble dryers with radial airflow.

The standard dryer includes a large door opening for easier loading/unloading while its drum depth of 1m improves operator access. The reverse drum action prevents large items from tangling and wrinkling. An advanced microprocessor control called Selecta enables operators to set parameters that fit requirements.

Another feature is Residual Moisture Control (RMC). A special lifter and sensor system, RMC measures the actual moisture content in the textiles.




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