DK2531641T3

DK2531641T3 - Ironing device WITH HEAT RECOVERY

Info

Publication number: DK2531641T3
Application number: DK10792837T
Authority: DK
Inventors: Dominique Lapauw; Yves Lapauw
Original assignee: Lapauw Internat Nv
Priority date: 2009-12-14
Filing date: 2010-12-10
Publication date: 2015-03-23
Also published as: EP2531641A1; EP2531641B1; ES2533347T3; BE1019109A5; WO2011072825A1

Description

Description Technical field [0001] The invention relates to an ironing device with heat recovery means for absorbing heat emitted by one or more elements of the ironing device during the ironing process, in which at least part of the absorbed heat is emitted back to the unironed textiles upon entering the ironing device.

[0002] The invention furthermore relates to an ironing device with heat recovery means for at least partly absorbing heat emitted by the ironed textiles upon leaving the ironing device.

Background art [0003] Currently, various ways are known to recover heat from an ironing device. GB2102842A, DE468074 and DE 3128520A1 describe ironing devices in which heat from one or more ironing rolls is conducted to the ironing roll itself or to a predrying device.

[0004] Another example relates to the "Aircup" by the applicant, as illustrated in Fig. 1. The trough (1) of the ironing roll (2) is heated to ±180°C by means of an oil-fired gas burner(3). The waste gases (4) ofthe gas burner are carried away to a heat exchanger (5). The steam (6) which is produced by ironing moist textiles on the ironing roll is sucked from the ironing roll centrally and also carried away to the heat exchanger (5). Moist air (± 130°C) is discharged via a separate duct (7). In this way, the heat exchanger (5) recovers the residual heat of the waste gases (4) (±240°C) and the steam (6) (±110°C) in order to heat the supplied fresh air (8) from ±25°C to ±80°C. This heated air (9) is introduced into the ironing roll (2) as additional heat in order to further heat the textiles to be ironed.

[0005] However, the fact that part of the recovered heat is lost in the form of moist air of ± 130°C via the discharge duct (7) is a drawback in this case.

[0006] First, the textiles to be ironed are washed, leaving a residual moisture of approximately 50%. This residual moisture has to be removed during ironing, to which end the textiles have to be heated to at least ±160°C. At the end ofthe ironing path, when they leave the (last) ironing roll, the textiles are dry and have a temperature, when completely dry, of ±140°C to 150°C.

[0007] Thereafter, the textiles cool down in the ironing room ofthe building, leading to an increase in the ambient temperature in the building. Another drawback in this case is the fact that this heat is completely lost.

[0008] When the textiles have been washed and are introduced into the ironing device, they have a temperature of ±20°C. It is known to introduce the textiles into the ironing device at a higher temperature by means of a treatment in the washing device in which the last rinse ofthe textiles takes place at a relatively high temperature (±40°C). However, it is a drawback that additional heat has to be generated in the washing device in order to reach this relatively high temperature.

[0009] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a simple, inexpensive and time-saving method to introduce the unironed textiles into the ironing device at a relatively high temperature.

Summary of the invention [0010] This object ofthe invention is achieved by providing an ironing device which comprises an ironing unit for ironing textiles, in which unironed textiles are introduced at an inputside and ironed textiles leave the ironing unit at an output side, and heat recovery means for at least partially absorbing and transporting heat emitted by one or more elements ofthe ironing device during the ironing process, in which said heat recovery means comprise a heat exchange system on the input side, adapted in order to at least partly emit the absorbed heat to the unironed textiles at the input side, characterized in that said heat recovery means comprise a heat exchange system on the output side, in which said heat exchange system on the output side is configured such that, during operation ofthe ironing device, it at least partly absorbs the heat which is emitted by the ironed textiles and at least partly emits the absorbed heat back to the heat exchange system on the input side.

[0011] The warmer the textiles are when they are introduced into the ironing device, the sooner ironing/dry-ing can take place. It is an advantage in this connection that the same production can be achieved using less power.

[0012] In a specific embodiment of an ironing device according to the invention, the input side ofthe heat exchange system comprises one or more rotatably arranged rolls against which the textiles to be ironed rest and with which they are carried along, with these rolls being configured such that they at least partly emit the absorbed heat to the unironed textiles on the input side.

[0013] In a more specific embodiment of an ironing device according to the invention, said rolls on the input side are provided, on the side opposite the side against which the textiles rest, with one or more liq uid-filled chambers, with the liquid, during operation of the ironing device, at least partly absorbing the heat which is produced during the ironing process and at least partly emitting the absorbed heat back to the textiles.

[0014] In its most advantageous embodiment, the contact between the textiles and the rolls is optimized for maximum heat emission. This is achieved by forcing a heated liquid, steam or waste gases to travel a maximum path while being in contact with the textiles. This may be achieved, for example, by means of liquid chambers or partitions.

[0015] It is therefore also an object of the invention to provide a simple, inexpensive and time-saving method for recovering the heat ofthe ironed textiles.

[0016] In a specific embodiment of an ironing device according to the invention, the output side of the heat exchange system comprises one or more rotatably arranged rolls against which the ironed textiles rest and with which they are carried along, with these rolls being configured such that they at least partly absorb the heat which is emitted by the ironed textiles.

[0017] In a more specific embodiment of an ironing device according to the invention, said rolls on the output side are provided, on the side opposite the side against which the textiles rest, with one or more liquid-filled chambers, with the liquid, during operation of the ironing device, at least partly absorbing the heat which is emitted by the ironed textiles.

[0018] The heat recovery system according to the invention comprises a removal/supply system for transporting the heat recovered during the ironing process to the input side of the ironing device. Heat can be recovered in the form of liquids (e.g. water, oil) or waste gases (e.g. flue gases, steam). Heat can be recovered from the cooling roll, the ironing rolls or any element of the ironing device which emits heat.

[0019] In one embodiment, the heat recovery system comprises a tube system for transporting liquids. In another embodiment, the heat recovery system comprises a flue system of discharge ducts for transporting waste gases.

[0020] In a specific embodiment of an ironing device according to the invention, the rolls on the output side are connected to the rolls on the input side by means of a tube system which comprises a pump system for circulating the liquid between the rolls on the output side and input side, so that the absorbed heat on the output side is at least partly emitted to the heat exchange system on the inputside. The tube system is preferably insulated.

[0021] In a particular embodiment of an ironing device according to the invention, the heat exchange systems comprise pressing means which press the textiles resting on these rolls against the latter during the rotary movement of the rolls.

[0022] In a possible embodiment of an ironing device according to the invention, the pressing means comprise one or more belts which are at least partly arranged around the surface of the rolls, with these belts co-rotating with these rolls during the rotary movement of the rolls and pressing the textiles against the rotating rolls.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment of an ironing device according to the invention, the heat exchange systems on the input and output side are of an identical design.

[0024] In a first particular embodiment of an ironing device according to the invention, the ironing device comprises one or more ironing rolls with a heated trough or heated roll for ironing the textiles, and the heat recovery means are provided in order to recover the heat which is released by this heated trough or heated roll during the ironing process.

[0025] In a most advantageous embodiment, the heat, at least the residual heat, of one or more heat sources in the ironing device is at least partly recovered in order to preheat the textiles by means of the heat exchanger on the input side.

[0026] In a particular embodiment of an ironing device according to the invention, the ironing device comprises one or more channels for transporting the heat which is produced during the ironing process, and the heat recovery means are designed to recover said heat.

[0027] If waste gases are used to remove the heat, the discharge ducts may be provided with partitions so that the waste gases are forced to travel along an optimum path enabling the maximum amount of heat to be transferred from the waste gases to the roll, as is illustrated, for example in Fig. 4.

[0028] In a possible embodiment of an ironing device according to the invention, the ironing device is heated by means of gas, diesel, kerosene, electricity, oil, liquid or steam.

[0029] The invention furthermore provides a method for recovering heat from an ironing device for preheating textiles, the method comprising the following steps: at least partlyrecovering heat from the ironed textiles on the output side of the ironing device via the heat exchange system on the output side, transporting said heat to the input side with the heat recovery means, at least partly emitting said heat to the unironed textiles on the input side via the heat exchange system on the input side.

[0030] In a specific embodiment of the method, the first heat recovery means comprises one or more rolls via which the ironed textiles leave the ironing device, and the second heat recovery means comprises one or more rolls via which the unironed textiles are introduced into the ironing device.

Brief description of drawings [0031]

Fig. 1 shows an existing heat recovery process of an ironing device.

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of an ironing device according to the invention.

Fig. 3 shows another embodiment of an ironing device according to the invention.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a discharge duct (flue) with helical distribution of the waste gases.

Mode(s) for carrying out the invention [0032] A preferred embodiment of an ironing device (20) according to the invention, as is shown in Fig. 2, consists of an inputside (21) for introducing the unironed textiles and an output side (22) where the ironed textiles leave the ironing unit. The grey line represents the textiles (23) travelling through the ironing device (20) which, in this embodiment, comprises two ironing rolls (24a and 24b).

[0033] On the inputside (21) of the ironing device (20), there is a heat exchanger (25a) in the form of a rotatable roll (26a) against which the textiles (23) to be ironed rest and with which they are carried along, and a belt system (27a) which presses the textiles (23) against the roll (26a) along a maximum surface of the roll.

In another embodiment, the heat exchange system may contain two or more rotatably arranged rolls (26a). The one or more rolls (26a) are also referred to as preheating rolls.

[0034] On the output side (22) of the ironing device (20), a preferably identical heat exchanger (25b) is arranged in the form of a rotatable roll (26b) against which the textiles (23) to be ironed rest and with which they are carried along, and a belt system (27b) which presses the textiles (23) against the roll (26b) along a maximum surface of the roll. The one or more rolls (26b) are also referred to as cooling rolls.

[0035] The belt system (27b) is connected (27c) to the belt system (27a) and to the ironing rolls (24a and 24b), so that the rolls (26a and 26b) are driven by the ironing rolls (24a and 24b).

[0036] The belt system presses the textiles (23) against the rolls (26a and 26b) and ensures optimum transfer of heat to/from the textiles (23). The belts prevent the presence of air between the textiles and the rolls (26a and 26b) and thus prevent cooling occurring during the transfer of heat. The belts are preferably made from pol-yester/nomex.

[0037] The double-wall rolls (26a and 26b) are provided with several liquid-filled chambers (28a and 28b) distributed across the surface of the rolls. A tube system (29a and 29b) and a pump system (30) ensure the circulation of liquid between the rolls (26a and 26b). The liquid absorbs heat from the ironed textiles on the output side via the liquid-filled chambers (28b) of the roll (26b), following which the heated liquid is pumped through the tube system (29b) to the roll (26a) on the input side. There, the liquid at least partly emits its heat to the unironed textiles via the liquid-filled chambers (28a) of the roll (26a). The slightly cooled liquid is then pumped back via the tube system (29a) to the roll (26b) on the output side. In this way, only a minimum amount of heat is lost in the tube system (29a and 29b).

[0038] The textiles (23) enter the ironing device (20) at a temperature of ±20°C. On the roll (26a), the textiles are heated to ±50°C by oil which has a temperature of ±70°C on the output side and is pumped to the input side. Cooled oil of ±50°C is pumped back to the output side and can be used there to cool down the ironed textiles. After leaving the ironing rolls, the textiles have a temperature of ±140°C. In the heat exchanger (25b) on the output side, heat is extracted from the textiles, which subsequently leave the roll (26b) at a temperature of ±70°C.

[0039] The amount of heat which can be emitted to the textiles (23) in this way on the input side (21) of the ironing device (20) is 5% of the total heat required at the input.

[0040] Suitable liquids preferably have good heat-conducting properties, such as for example water and thermal oil.

[0041] The double-wall rolls (26a and 26b) are preferably made from materials having good heat-conducting properties, such as, inter alia, copper, iron and steel. A layer of paraffin leads to good heat-conducting properties. The double wall is preferably a laser-welded plate comprising aflat (thicker) outer plate and a (thinner) inner plate. In a specific embodiment, the liquid chambers are approximately 200mm wide and the roll is divided into 4 chambers.

[0042] Fig. 3 shows a most advantageous embodiment of an ironing device (20) according to the invention, in which the waste gasses, resulting from heating one or more ironing rolls (24b and/or 24a - not shown in the figures) and having a temperature of ±240°C, are removed via a discharge duct or flue (32) to the roll on the input side (21) in order to emit heat there for preheating the textiles. The cooled waste gases are then discharged via a flue system (31). There, the temperature of the waste gases is ±100 to 120°C.

[0043] Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a discharge duct for waste gases (also referred to as flue), in which the interior of the discharge duct is provided with helical partitions (41) which force the waste gases to travel an optimum path so that the heat of the waste gases is emitted to the ironing roll in an optimum manner.

[0044] The ironing device according to the invention can be used on all types of ironing machines. The ironing unit may be designed as having one or more ironing rolls (24a and 24b), irrespective of the size of the ironing roll, and one or more rolls (26a and 26b).

Claims

An ironing device (20), comprising an ironing unit for ironing fabrics (23), in which non-irradiated fabrics are introduced at an entrance side (21) and ironing fabrics leave the ironing unit at an exit side (22), and heat recovery means (25a, 25b, 24a). 24b, 30, 32) to at least partially absorb heat emitted by one or more elements (26b, 24b, 24a) of the ironing device (20) during the ironing process, in which the heat recovery means (25a, 25b, 24a, 24b, 30, 32) comprise a heat exchange system (25a) on the inlet side (21) adapted to deliver at least partially the absorbed heat to the unstressed fabrics at the inlet side (21), characterized in that the heat recovery means (25a, 25b, 24a, 24b, 30, 32) comprise a heat exchange system (25b) on the output side (22), in which the heat exchange system (25b) on the output side (22) is configured so that, while operating the ironing device (20), it absorbs at least partially the heat emitted by the ironed fabrics (23) and at least in part, the absorbed heat returns to the heat exchange system (25a) on the input side (21).

Ironing device (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the heat exchange system (25b) on the exit side (22) comprises one or more pivotally arranged rollers (26b) against which the ironed textiles (23) rest and with which they are moved forward, wherein the rollers (26b) are configured so as to at least partially absorb the heat emitted by the ironed fabrics (23).

Ironing device (20) according to claim 2, characterized in that the rollers (26b) on the exit side (22) are provided, on the side opposite side against which the fabrics (23) rest, with one or more liquid-filled chambers, wherein the liquid, during operation of the the ironing device (20), at least partially absorbs the heat emitted by the ironed fabrics (23).

Ironing device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heat exchange system (25a) on the input side (21) comprises one or more rotatably arranged rollers (26a) against which the textiles (23) are to be ironed and with which they are fed. forward, wherein the rollers (26a) are configured so as to at least partially deliver the absorbed heat to the fabrics (23).

Ironing device (20) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the rollers (26a) are provided on the entrance side (21), on the side opposite side against which the fabrics (23) rest, with one or more liquid-filled chambers (28a), wherein the liquid , while operating the ironing device, at least partially absorbs the heat produced during the ironing process and at least partially returns the absorbed heat to the fabrics (23).

Ironing device (20) according to claims 2 or 3 and 4 or 5, characterized in that the rollers (26b) on the output side (22) are connected to the rollers (26a) on the input side (21) by means of a pipe system (29a and 29b). comprising a pump system (30) for circulating the liquid between the rollers (26a and 26b) on the outlet side (22) and the inlet side (21) so that the absorbed heat on the outlet side (22) is at least partially delivered to the heat exchange system (25a) on the inlet side ( 21).

Ironing device (20) according to one of Claim 6, characterized in that the heat exchange systems (25a and 25b) comprise pressing means (27a, 27b and 27c) which press the fabrics (23) resting on the rollers (26a and 26b) against the rollers (26a and 26b) during the rotary movement of the rollers (26a and 26b).

Ironing device (20) according to claim 7, characterized in that the pressing means (27a, 27b and 27c) comprise one or more belts (27a, 27b and 27c) which are at least partially arranged around the surface of the rollers (26a and 26b), wherein these belts rotate with the rollers (26a and 26b) during the rotary movement of the rollers (26a and 26b) and press the fabrics (23) against the rotating rollers (26a and 26b).

Ironing device (20) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the heat exchange systems (25a and 25b) are configured identically.

Ironing device (20) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the ironing device (20) comprises one or more ironing rollers (24a and 24b) provided with a heated trough or a heated roller (1) for ironing the fabrics (23). and by providing the heat recovery means (25a, 25b, 24a, 24b, 30, 32) to recover heat emitted by the heated trough or roller (1) during the ironing process.

Ironing device (20) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the ironing device (20) comprises one or more ducts (29b, 32) for conveying the heat produced during the ironing process and by the heat recovery means (25a, 25b, 24a). , 24b, 30, 32) are arranged to recover heat.

A method for recovering heat from an ironing device (20) according to any of the preceding claims for preheating fabrics (23), characterized in that the method comprises the following steps: - at least partially recovering heat from the ironed fabrics ( 23) on the output side (22) of the ironing device (20) via the heat exchanger system (25b) on the output side (22), - to transport the heat to the input side (21), - at least partially to deliver the heat to the non-ironed fabrics (23) on the input side (21) ) via the heat exchange system (25a) on the input side (21).

The method of claim 12, wherein the heat exchange system (25b) on the exit side (22) comprises one or more rollers (26b) through which the ironed fabrics leave the ironing device (20) and the heat exchange system (25a) on the input side (21) comprises one or more a plurality of rollers (26a) through which the nonwoven fabrics (23) are introduced into the ironing device (20).