EP0885323B1 - Method and apparatus for drying a load of moist fibrous material, particularly a load of laundry - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for drying a load of moist fibrous material, particularly a load of laundry Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0885323B1
EP0885323B1 EP97908322A EP97908322A EP0885323B1 EP 0885323 B1 EP0885323 B1 EP 0885323B1 EP 97908322 A EP97908322 A EP 97908322A EP 97908322 A EP97908322 A EP 97908322A EP 0885323 B1 EP0885323 B1 EP 0885323B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
enclosure
load
drying
electrovalve
condenser
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Expired - Lifetime
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EP97908322A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0885323A1 (en
Inventor
Denis Clodic
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Association pour la Recherche et le Developpement des Methodes et Processus Industriels
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Association pour la Recherche et le Developpement des Methodes et Processus Industriels
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    • D06F39/40—
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F34/00—Details of control systems for washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F34/14—Arrangements for detecting or measuring specific parameters
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
    • D06F58/20—General details of domestic laundry dryers 
    • D06F58/26—Heating arrangements, e.g. gas heating equipment
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/58—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers related to condensation, e.g. condensate water level
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/52—Changing sequence of operational steps; Carrying out additional operational steps; Modifying operational steps, e.g. by extending duration of steps

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)
  • Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)
  • Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)
  • Paper (AREA)
  • Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/FR97/00408 Sec. 371 Date Aug. 31, 1998 Sec. 102(e) Date Aug. 31, 1998 PCT Filed Mar. 7, 1997 PCT Pub. No. WO97/33032 PCT Pub. Date Sep. 12, 1997A method and an apparatus is described for drying a load of moist fibrous material, particularly a load of laundry washed and placed in a washer/drier machine or a clothes drier, wherein a closed-circuit flow of superheated steam at 102-180 DEG C. and substantially at atmospheric pressure is passed through the load of fibrous material. The method is characterized in that, prior to the superheated steam drying step, the air in the closed circuit is flushed therefrom with steam.

Description

La présente invention concerne un procédé et une installation de séchage d'une masse de matière fibreuse humide, notamment d'une masse de linge lavée et placée dans une machine lavante-séchante ou un sèche-linge.The present invention relates to a method and a installation for drying a mass of wet fibrous material, including a mass of laundry washed and placed in a machine washer-dryer or dryer.

Dans les sèche-linge connus jusqu'à ce jour, on a utilisé divers fluides chauds en tant que moyen de séchage. On a employé notamment de l'air chaud soufflé à l'intérieur d'un sèche-linge, à une température de l'ordre de 120°C, mais un tel procédé de séchage présente l'inconvénient d'être notablement long et d'entraíner une consommation importante d'énergie. Pour remédier à cet inconvénient, il a déjà été envisagé d'utiliser, pour le séchage du linge, de la vapeur d'eau surchauffée mise en circulation forcée à travers une enceinte contenant le linge à sécher.In tumble dryers known to date, used various hot fluids as a drying medium. We used in particular hot air blown inside a dryer, at a temperature of about 120 ° C, but such the drying process has the disadvantage of being appreciably long and cause significant energy consumption. For remedy this drawback, it has already been envisaged to use, for drying clothes, superheated steam in forced circulation through an enclosure containing the laundry to dry.

Le document WO N°89/04 392 divulgue un procédé et un appareil de séchage, au moyen de vapeur surchauffée, d'une masse de linge contenue dans une enceinte. La vapeur surchauffée est amenée à circuler à travers l'enceinte, en circuit fermé, au moyen d'un ventilateur monté en amont de l'enceinte et en aval d'une source de chaleur de manière à refouler dans l'enceinte la vapeur d'eau s'évaporant à partir du linge. Au début d'un cycle de séchage, l'air contenu dans l'enceinte est refoulé par un évent auquel est connecté un condenseur branché en dérivation.WO N ° 89/04392 discloses a method and a apparatus for drying, by means of superheated steam, a mass of laundry contained in an enclosure. Steam overheated is caused to circulate through the enclosure, closed circuit, by means of a fan mounted upstream of the enclosure and downstream of a heat source so as to discharge the water vapor evaporating from the enclosure linen. At the start of a drying cycle, the air in the enclosure is forced back by a vent to which is connected a condenser connected in bypass.

Le document EP-A-0 026 707 divulgue un procédé et une installation de séchage dans laquelle le cycle de séchage comprend une première phase d'essorage dans laquelle on fait circuler à travers une enceinte, contenant la matière à sécher, de la vapeur d'eau produite par un générateur de vapeur indépendant et une seconde phase dans laquelle on fait circuler, au moyen d'un ventilateur branche en amont de l'enceinte, la vapeur d'eau évaporée à partir de la matière humide, cette vapeur d'eau passant à travers un surchauffeur. Un condenseur est branché en dérivation à la sortie de l'enceinte contenant la matière humide.EP-A-0 026 707 discloses a method and a drying facility in which the drying cycle includes a first spin phase in which we do circulate through an enclosure containing the material to be dried, water vapor produced by a steam generator independent and a second phase in which we do circulate, by means of a fan connected upstream of the enclosure, the water vapor evaporated from the material humid, this water vapor passing through a superheater. A condenser is connected in bypass at the output of the enclosure containing the wet material.

La présente invention concerne des perfectionnements apportés aux procédés et appareils de séchage connus permettant de réduire notablement la durée globale du séchage d'une masse de matière fibreuse et de diminuer considérablement le coût de l'installation de séchage.The present invention relates to improvements brought to known drying methods and apparatuses allowing to significantly reduce the overall drying time of a mass of fibrous material and significantly decrease the cost of the drying facility.

A cet effet, ce procédé de séchage d'une masse de matière fibreuse humide, notamment d'une masse de linge humide après lavage, dans lequel on fait passer à travers la masse de matière fibreuse, en circuit fermé, de la vapeur d'eau surchauffée à une température comprise entre 102° et 180°C et sensiblement à la pression atmosphérique, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend, avant la phase de séchage avec de la vapeur d'eau surchauffée, une phase préalable de chasse de l'air, présent dans le circuit fermé, au moyen de vapeur d'eau.To this end, this process of drying a mass of wet fibrous material, in particular a mass of wet linen after washing, in which we pass through the mass of fibrous material, in closed circuit, of water vapor superheated to a temperature between 102 ° and 180 ° C and substantially at atmospheric pressure, characterized in that it understands, before the drying phase with steam superheated water, a preliminary phase of air flushing, present in the closed circuit, by means of water vapor.

L'invention a également pour objet une installation de séchage d'une masse de matière fibreuse humide, notamment d'une masse de linge humide après lavage, comprenant une enceinte dans laquelle est logée la masse de linge humide, un générateur de vapeur, un surchauffeur, un condenseur, et un ventilateur pour faire circuler, dans une canalisation principale en circuit fermé, de la vapeur d'eau, surchauffée à une température allant de 102° à 180°C, à travers l'enceinte et la masse de matière fibreuse humide qu'elle contient, caractérisée en ce que le ventilateur prévu pour assurer la circulation de la vapeur d'eau est constitué par un ventilateur aspirant branché, sur la canalisation principale, en aval de la sortie de l'enceinte, afin de créer une légère dépression dans cette enceinte, le condenseur et le surchauffeur sont branchés en série en amont de l'enceinte, la canalisation principale est connectée, du côté refoulement du ventilateur, d'une part à une première électrovanne de mise à l'air libre, branchée en dérivation, et d'autre part à une seconde électrovanne branchée en série et le générateur de vapeur est connecté à la canalisation principale, en aval de la seconde électrovanne, par l'intermédiaire d'une troisième électrovanne.The invention also relates to an installation for drying a mass of wet fibrous material, in particular a mass of wet laundry after washing, comprising an enclosure in which the mass of wet linen is housed, a generator steam, a superheater, a condenser, and a fan to circulate, in a main pipe in closed circuit, steam, superheated to a temperature ranging from 102 ° to 180 ° C, through the enclosure and the mass of wet fibrous material it contains, characterized in that the fan provided for the circulation of the water vapor is constituted by a suction fan connected, on the main pipe, downstream of the outlet of the enclosure, in order to create a slight depression in this enclosure, the condenser and the superheater are connected in series upstream of the enclosure, the main pipeline is connected, on the discharge side of the fan, on the one hand to a first vent valve, connected in bypass, and secondly to a second solenoid valve connected in series and the steam generator is connected to the main line, downstream of the second solenoid valve, through a third solenoid valve.

Le procédé et l'installation de séchage suivant la présente invention offrent l'avantage de permettre une simplification de l'installation. En effet, le rinçage préalable du circuit fermé de son air, au moyen de la vapeur d'eau, avant la phase de séchage proprement dite, permet un fonctionnement de l'installation à la pression atmosphérique et la température de la vapeur à l'intérieur de l'enceinte de séchage est donc obligatoirement toujours supérieure à 100°C pour une pression atmosphérique normale. On peut ainsi réduire notablement le coût d'un sèche-linge suivant l'invention du fait qu'il n'est pas nécessaire d'utiliser des dispositifs d'étanchéité sophistiqués (joints étanches etc...).The drying process and installation according to the present invention have the advantage of allowing simplification of installation. Indeed, rinsing prior to the closed circuit of its air, by means of steam of water, before the actual drying phase, allows a operation of the installation at atmospheric pressure and the temperature of the vapor inside the enclosure drying is therefore always greater than 100 ° C for normal atmospheric pressure. We can thus reduce notably the cost of a dryer according to the invention of does not require the use of devices sophisticated seals (watertight seals etc ...).

On décrira ci-après, à titre d'exemple non limitatif, une forme d'exécution de la présente invention, en référence au dessin annexé dont la figure unique est un schéma d'une installation de séchage de linge au moyen de vapeur d'eau surchauffée, suivant la présente invention.A non-limiting example will be described below, an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to attached drawing, the single figure of which is a diagram of a laundry drying system using steam superheated, according to the present invention.

L'installation de séchage comporte une enceinte 1 dans laquelle est placée la masse de matière fibreuse à sécher qui sera considérée, dans le cadre de la présente description, comme étant du linge humide tel qu'il se présente après lavage. L'enceinte 1 peut être constituée par un tambour mis en rotation par entraínement mécanique et pouvant tourner alternativement dans les deux sens, de manière à remuer le linge. L'enceinte 1 peut être aussi constituée par un sèche-linge dans lequel les pièces de linge sont immobiles en étant suspendues d'une manière appropriée. L'enceinte 1 peut être aussi du type à circulation continue des pièces de linge, d'une entrée à la sortie de l'enceinte.The drying installation comprises an enclosure 1 in which is placed the mass of fibrous material to be dried which will be considered, in the context of this description, as wet laundry as it appears after washing. The enclosure 1 can be constituted by a drum set rotation by mechanical drive and able to turn alternately in both directions, so as to move the laundry. Enclosure 1 can also consist of a dryer in which the laundry items are stationary by being appropriately suspended. Enclosure 1 can be also of the type with continuous circulation of the pieces of linen, of a entry at the exit of the enclosure.

L'enceinte 1 est reliée à un conduit de sortie 2 dans lequel est logé un ventilateur centrifuge 3 créant une dépression dans l'enceinte 1 lorsqu'il est mis en marche. Le conduit de sortie 2 est relié à une canalisation principale 4 branchée en circuit fermé avec l'enceinte 1 et reliée à cet effet à un orifice d'entrée de cette enceinte. Cette canalisation principale 4 est destinée à la circulation, en circuit fermé, de vapeur d'eau surchauffée et/ou d'air, comme il sera précisé plus loin. A la canalisation 4 est reliée, en aval du ventilateur 3, une électrovanne 5 formant également une soupape de mise à l'air libre, tarée par exemple à une pression de 1,05 bar absolu. En aval du point de branchement de l'électrovanne 5 est branchée une autre électrovanne 6, en série dans la canalisation 4, et en aval de cette électrovanne 6 est branchée en dérivation une autre électrovanne 7 reliée à la partie supérieure d'un générateur de vapeur 8. Sur la canalisation reliant l'électrovanne 7 au générateur de vapeur 8 est branchée une soupape de sécurité 9 tarée à une pression de 1,2 bar absolu par exemple. Le générateur de vapeur 8 est relié à une source d'eau par l'intermédiaire d'une vanne 11 et il comporte un dispositif de chauffage électrique 12 pour provoquer la vaporisation de l'eau contenue dans le générateur 8.The enclosure 1 is connected to an outlet conduit 2 in which is housed a centrifugal fan 3 creating a depression in enclosure 1 when it is switched on. The outlet pipe 2 is connected to a main pipe 4 connected in closed circuit with enclosure 1 and connected to this effect at an inlet of this enclosure. This main line 4 is intended for circulation, in closed circuit, superheated steam and / or air, as it will be specified later. Line 4 is connected, downstream of the fan 3, a solenoid valve 5 also forming a vent valve, calibrated for example at a pressure 1.05 bar absolute. Downstream of the connection point of the solenoid valve 5 is connected to another solenoid valve 6, series in line 4, and downstream of this solenoid valve 6 is connected in derivation another solenoid valve 7 connected to the upper part of a steam generator 8. On the pipe connecting the solenoid valve 7 to the steam generator 8 a safety valve 9 calibrated at a pressure of 1.2 bar absolute for example. The steam generator 8 is connected to a water source through a valve 11 and there includes an electric heater 12 for cause the water in the generator to vaporize 8.

Sur la canalisation 4 est branché en série, en aval du générateur de vapeur 8, un condenseur de vapeur 13 doté d'un circuit de refroidissement à air ou à eau 14. Le condenseur 13 est réglé de telle manière que la température de condensation soit toujours légèrement supérieure à la température de saturation correspondant à la pression atmosphérique, c'est-à-dire 100°C pour une pression atmosphérique normale. Le condenseur 13 contient un flotteur 15 relié à un capteur de niveau 16 détectant le niveau d'eau dans un récupérateur de condensat 17 se trouvant à la partie inférieure du condenseur 13. En dessous du récupérateur de condensat 17 se trouve un réservoir de condensat 18.On line 4 is connected in series, downstream of the steam generator 8, a steam condenser 13 provided with a air or water cooling circuit 14. The condenser 13 is set so that the condensing temperature is always slightly higher than the temperature of saturation corresponding to atmospheric pressure, i.e. 100 ° C for normal atmospheric pressure. The condenser 13 contains a float 15 connected to a level 16 detecting the water level in a water recuperator condensate 17 located at the bottom of the condenser 13. Below the condensate collector 17 is a condensate tank 18.

Après le condenseur 13, c'est-à-dire vers l'aval dans le sens de la circulation de la vapeur, la canalisation principale en circuit fermé 4 comporte une électrovanne 19 branchée en série. La canalisation 4 est ensuite raccordée à l'entrée d'un surchauffeur 21. Ce surchauffeur 21 comporte un circuit de chauffage électrique 22 produisant la surchauffe de la vapeur d'eau à une température allant de 102°C à 180°C. En amont du surchauffeur 21, une électrovanne 23 est branchée sur la canalisation 4 pour permettre une admission d'air dans le circuit principal. After the condenser 13, i.e. downstream in the direction of the steam flow, the pipe main in closed circuit 4 comprises a solenoid valve 19 connected in series. Line 4 is then connected to the input of a superheater 21. This superheater 21 comprises a electric heating circuit 22 producing the overheating of steam at a temperature ranging from 102 ° C to 180 ° C. In upstream of the superheater 21, a solenoid valve 23 is connected to line 4 to allow air to enter the main circuit.

Suivant une variante le générateur de vapeur 8 pourrait être associé au surchauffeur 21, en formant une seule et même unité fournissant de la. vapeur surchauffée à partir d'eau liquide.According to a variant the steam generator 8 could be associated with superheater 21, forming a single and same unit providing. steam superheated from water liquid.

L'installation peut également comporter un déshydrateur 24 branché en parallèle sur l'électrovanne 19 et relié à la canalisation principale 4, de part et d'autre de l'électrovanne 19, par deux électrovannes 25 et 26. Le déshydrateur 24 comporte une matrice en une matière déshydratante, capable d'absorber ou d'adsorber la vapeur d'eau et pouvant être régénérée par chauffage au moyen d'un dispositif de chauffage électrique 27.The installation can also include a dehydrator 24 connected in parallel to the solenoid valve 19 and connected to the main line 4, on either side of the solenoid valve 19, by two solenoid valves 25 and 26. The dehydrator 24 contains a matrix of a dehydrating material, capable absorb or adsorb water vapor and can be regenerated by heating with a heater electric 27.

La température du fluide (vapeur d'eau et/ou air) s'écoulant dans le circuit principal 4 est contrôlée au moyen de deux sondes thermiques 28,29 montées respectivement à l'entrée et à la sortie de l'enceinte 1, afin de détecter les températures d'entrée T1 et de sortie T2 de la vapeur passant à travers l'enceinte 1.Fluid temperature (water vapor and / or air) flowing in the main circuit 4 is controlled by means two thermal probes 28,29 mounted respectively at the entry and exit of enclosure 1, to detect steam inlet T1 and outlet temperature T2 passing to through enclosure 1.

Les diverses électrovannes 5,6,7,11,19,23,25,26, le circuit de chauffage 12 du générateur de vapeur 8, le circuit de chauffage 22 du surchauffeur 21 et le dispositif de chauffage 27 du déshydrateur 24 sont connectés à un circuit de commande automatique général 31 qui règle le fonctionnement de l'installation. Ce dispositif 31 est également connecté au ventilateur centrifuge 3 pour commander la mise en marche et l'arrêt de ce ventilateur. Le dispositif 31 reçoit également des informations en provenance du capteur de niveau 16 du condenseur 13 et des sondes thermiques 28 et 29. The various solenoid valves 5,6,7,11,19,23,25,26, the heating circuit 12 of the steam generator 8, the circuit heater 22 of superheater 21 and the heater 27 of dehydrator 24 are connected to a heating circuit general automatic control 31 which regulates the operation of the installation. This device 31 is also connected to the centrifugal fan 3 to control start-up and this fan stops. The device 31 also receives information from level sensor 16 of the condenser 13 and thermal probes 28 and 29.

On décrira maintenant le fonctionnement de l'installation mettant en oeuvre le procédé de séchage suivant la présente invention.We will now describe the operation of the installation implementing the following drying process the present invention.

Dans le cas d'un procédé discontinu, c'est-à-dire du séchage de lots de linge successifs, le procédé de séchage comporte une première phase au cours de laquelle l'air humide présent normalement dans le circuit principal 4 est remplacé par de la vapeur d'eau, surchauffée ou non, circulant en circuit ouvert. Cet air humide se trouve dans l'enceinte 1 et le taux d'humidité et la température de cet air sont variables. Au début de la première phase, le dispositif de commande automatique 31 provoque plusieurs opérations simultanées à savoir, la mise en route du générateur de vapeur 8, de manière à produire dans ce générateur de la vapeur à une température de 102°C, l'ouverture des électrovannes 5 et 7, la fermeture de l'électrovanne 6, la mise en route du ventilateur 3 et éventuellement la mise en route du surchauffeur 21. Le ventilateur 3 crée une dépression à l'intérieur de l'enceinte 1, si bien que la vapeur produite par le générateur de vapeur 8 s'écoule successivement à travers l'électrovanne 7 ouverte, la canalisation principale 4, le condenseur 13 dont le système de refroidissement externe est arrêté pendant cette phase et l'électrovanne 19 ouverte et elle est introduite dans le surchauffeur 21 puis dans l'enceinte 1 et cette vapeur chasse l'air contenu dans le circuit principal et dans l'enceinte 1, cet air étant refoulé vers l'extérieur, conjointement avec la vapeur d'eau, à travers l'électrovanne 5 ouverte. Cette première phase de chasse et de remplacement de l'air humide par de la vapeur d'eau, éventuellement surchauffée, dure un temps prédéterminé qui peut être aisément calculé à partir du volume connu de l'installation. A la fin de cette première phase, seule de la vapeur d'eau, surchauffée ou non, circule dans la canalisation principale 4, à la pression atmosphérique, et le circuit ne contient plus d'air. A ce moment, le dispositif de commande automatique 31 provoque la fermeture des électrovannes 5,7, l'arrêt du générateur de vapeur 8 et l'ouverture de l'électrovanne 6, ce qui établit un circuit fermé pour la circulation ultérieure de la vapeur.In the case of a discontinuous process, i.e. drying of successive batches of laundry, the drying process involves a first phase during which moist air normally present in main circuit 4 is replaced by steam, superheated or not, circulating in open circuit. This humid air is in enclosure 1 and the humidity and the temperature of this air are variable. At the start of the first phase, the control device automatic 31 causes several simultaneous operations to namely, starting up the steam generator 8, so to be produced in this steam generator at a temperature of 102 ° C, the opening of the solenoid valves 5 and 7, the closing of the solenoid valve 6, the start-up of the fan 3 and possibly starting the superheater 21. The fan 3 creates a vacuum inside the enclosure 1, so that the steam produced by the steam generator 8 flows successively through the open solenoid valve 7, the main line 4, the condenser 13 including the external cooling is stopped during this phase and the solenoid valve 19 open and it is introduced into the superheater 21 then in enclosure 1 and this steam flushes the air contained in the main circuit and in enclosure 1, this air being forced outwards, jointly with the water vapor, through the open solenoid valve 5. This first phase of flushing and replacing humid air with steam, possibly overheated, lasts for a while predetermined which can be easily calculated from the volume known to the facility. At the end of this first phase, only steam, superheated or not, circulates in the main line 4, at atmospheric pressure, and the circuit no longer contains air. At this time, the automatic control 31 causes the solenoid valves to close 5.7, stopping the steam generator 8 and opening the the solenoid valve 6, which establishes a closed circuit for the subsequent circulation of steam.

Le procédé de séchage passe ensuite à une seconde phase ou phase principale au cours de laquelle le linge contenu dans l'enceinte 1 est séché par la vapeur surchauffée et l'eau extraite du linge est condensée d'une manière continue dans le condenseur 13. Au début de cette phase le dispositif de commande automatique 31 provoque la mise en service du surchauffeur 21, s'il ne l'était pas déjà au cours de la première phase de chasse de l'air. Au cours de la phase principale de séchage, le ventilateur 3 continue à tourner en produisant la circulation en circuit fermé de la vapeur d'eau qui est surchauffée dans le surchauffeur 21. Dans le condenseur 13, une partie de la vapeur d'eau se condense et le condenseur retire ainsi une quantité d'eau progressivement croissante du circuit fermé, en permettant le fonctionnement optimal du sèche-linge. La puissance du condenseur 13 est asservie à la température T2 de sortie de la vapeur de l'enceinte 1. En fait au fur et à mesure que le séchage progresse, le débit d'eau extraite du linge diminue, la température T1 augmente et la puissance du condenseur 13 diminue. Le niveau du condensat recueilli dans le récupérateur 17 est détecté par le flotteur 15 agissant sur le capteur de niveau 16. Ce capteur 16 permet, conjointement avec les sondes de température 28 et 29, de déterminer la fin du séchage. Autrement dit, lorsque le capteur de niveau 16 détecte que le niveau de l'eau condensée dans le récupérateur de condensat 17 ne varie pratiquement plus et les sondes de température 28 et 29 indiquent que les températures d'entrée T1 et de sortie T2 sont pratiquement identiques, ceci signifie que le linge a atteint son point de séchage final. A ce moment, le dispositif de commande automatique 31 arrête automatiquement le cycle de séchage.The drying process then goes to a second phase or main phase during which the laundry contained in enclosure 1 is dried by superheated steam and water extracted from the laundry is continuously condensed in the condenser 13. At the start of this phase the automatic control 31 causes the commissioning of the superheater 21, if it was not already during the first phase of air flushing. During the phase main dryer, fan 3 continues to run producing closed circuit circulation of water vapor which is superheated in the superheater 21. In the condenser 13, part of the water vapor condenses and the condenser thus removes a progressively increasing amount of water from the closed circuit, allowing optimal operation of the tumble dryer. The power of the condenser 13 is controlled by the temperature T2 of steam outlet from enclosure 1. In fact as the drying progresses, the water flow extracted from the laundry decreases, the temperature T1 increases and the power of the condenser 13 decreases. The condensate level collected in the recuperator 17 is detected by the float 15 acting on the level sensor 16. This sensor 16 allows, together with temperature sensors 28 and 29, determine the end of drying. In other words, when the sensor level 16 detects that the level of condensed water in the condensate collector 17 hardly changes any more and the temperature sensors 28 and 29 indicate that the temperatures T1 input and T2 output are practically identical, this means that the laundry has reached its final drying point. AT at this moment, the automatic control device 31 stops the drying cycle automatically.

La phase principale de séchage à l'aide de vapeur d'eau surchauffée peut être éventuellement suivie d'une troisième phase de séchage au moyen d'air sec.The main phase of drying using steam overheated can possibly be followed by a third drying phase using dry air.

Claims (6)

  1. Method for drying a load of moist fibrous material, particularly a load of moist laundry after washing, in which there is passed through the load of fibrous material, in closed circuit, water vapour superheated to a temperature included between 102° and 180°C and substantially at atmospheric pressure, characterized in that it comprises, before the phase of drying with superheated water vapour, a prior phase of expelling the air, present in the closed circuit, by means of steam.
  2. Installation for drying a load of moist fibrous material, particularly a load of moist laundry after washing, comprising an enclosure (1) in which is housed the load of moist washing, a steam generator (8), a superheater (21), a condenser (13), and a fan (3) for causing to circulate, in a principal pipe (4) in closed circuit, water vapour superheated to a temperature ranging from 102° to 180°C through the enclosure (1) and the load of moist fibrous material that it contains, characterized in that the fan (3) provided to ensure circulation of the water vapour is constituted by a suction fan connected, on the principal pipe (4), downstream of the outlet of the enclosure (1) in order to create a slight depression in this enclosure, the condenser (13) and the superheater (21) are connected in series upstream of the enclosure (1), the principal pipe (4) is connected, on the delivery side of the fan (3), on the one hand to a first electrovalve (5) for placing in communication with the open air, connected in by-pass, and, on the other hand, to a second electrovalve (6) connected in series and the steam generator (8) is connected to the principal pipe (4), downstream of the second electrovalve (6), via a third electrovalve (7).
  3. Installation according to Claim 2, characterized in that the condenser (13) contains a float (15) connected to a level sensor (16) detecting the level of water in a condensate recuperator (17) located in the lower part of the condenser (13).
  4. Installation according to one of Claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the principal pipe (4) comprises a fourth electrovalve (19) connected in series and on this electrovalve (19) there is connected in parallel a dehydrator (24) connected to the pipe (4), on either side of the fourth electrovalve (19), by fifth and sixth electrovalves (25, 26), the dehydrator (24) comprising a matrix of dehydrating material that may be regenerated by heating by means of an electrical heating device (27).
  5. Installation according to one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that it comprises two heat probes (28, 29) respectively mounted at the inlet and at the outlet of the enclosure (1) in order to detect the inlet temperature (T1) and outlet temperature (T2) of the superheated water vapour passing through the enclosure (1).
  6. Installation according to one of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that it comprises an automatic control device (31) regulating the operation of the installation, this device being connected to the electrovalves (5, 6, 7, 11, 19, 23, 25, 26) of the installation, to the heating circuits (12, 22) of the steam generator (8) and of the superheater (21) and to a heating circuit (27) of a possible dehydrator (24), in order to control operation of these various elements, and being connected to a sensor (16) of the level of the condensate in the condenser (13) and to heat probes (28, 29) detecting the inlet temperature (T1) and outlet temperature (T2) of the superheated water vapour in the enclosure (1), so as to control operation of the various elements of the installation as a function of the level of the condensate and of the temperatures detected.
EP97908322A 1996-03-07 1997-03-07 Method and apparatus for drying a load of moist fibrous material, particularly a load of laundry Expired - Lifetime EP0885323B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9602895 1996-03-07
FR9602895A FR2745896B1 (en) 1996-03-07 1996-03-07 METHOD AND INSTALLATION FOR DRYING A MASS OF WET FIBROUS MATERIAL, IN PARTICULAR A LAUNDRY MASS
PCT/FR1997/000408 WO1997033032A1 (en) 1996-03-07 1997-03-07 Method and apparatus for drying a load of moist fibrous material, particularly a load of laundry

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EP0885323A1 EP0885323A1 (en) 1998-12-23
EP0885323B1 true EP0885323B1 (en) 1999-12-01

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EP (1) EP0885323B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE187212T1 (en)
CA (1) CA2248172A1 (en)
DE (1) DE69700878T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2139447T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2745896B1 (en)
GR (1) GR3032026T3 (en)
PT (1) PT885323E (en)
WO (1) WO1997033032A1 (en)

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ATE187212T1 (en) 1999-12-15
DE69700878D1 (en) 2000-01-05
FR2745896A1 (en) 1997-09-12
WO1997033032A1 (en) 1997-09-12
PT885323E (en) 2000-05-31
CA2248172A1 (en) 1997-09-12
GR3032026T3 (en) 2000-03-31
DE69700878T2 (en) 2000-05-31
EP0885323A1 (en) 1998-12-23
FR2745896B1 (en) 1998-04-24
ES2139447T3 (en) 2000-02-01
US6161306A (en) 2000-12-19

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