JPS6244296A - Continuous flow type commercial washing apparatus and recovery of heat therein - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Industrial Application Field The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for use in continuous flow commercial laundry, and more particularly to a continuous flow commercial laundry incorporating a heat recovery system. This relates to type laundry.

(b) Prior Art Continuous flow commercial laundry equipment has some advantages over other types of commercial laundry equipment.Continuous flow equipment rotates about a generally horizontal axis. It incorporates a cylinder or drum having individual compartments which are fitted in such a way that the compartments are formed by baffles which can be made with Archimedean screws.The dry laundry enters the washer at one end of the horizontal drum, where the baffles form. The rotation of the drum causes it to move over its entire length following a path along the drum.The individual batches of laundry are kept separate within the drum by baffles.

Hot water and appropriate chemicals are introduced into the device and flowed in a direction opposite to the flow of laundry.

(c) Problems to be Solved by the Invention Such continuous flow washing machines are generally larger than machines that process individual batches. However, the thermal efficiency of such large washing machines has therefore become all the more important in view of the considerable heat lost thereto. Therefore, the power requirements for heating the water are an important part of continuous flow laundry equipment, especially in light of energy costs and the increasing cost of energy.

B.) Means for solving the problem One object of the invention is therefore to provide a method and a device for continuous processing of laundry with maximum operational efficiency.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for extracting heat from a given outflow fluid from a continuous flow laundry machine and transferring that heat to an inflow fluid being supplied to the laundry machine. That's true.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a continuous flow laundry machine that incorporates a heat exchanger for transferring selected effluent fluid to fresh water being supplied to the laundry machine.

Yet another object of the present invention is to extract heat at selected locations from the fluid within a continuous flow scrubber and supply that heat through a heat exchanger to the fluid entering the system. An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for increasing the thermal efficiency of a washing machine.

(E) Operation Briefly stated, and according to selected embodiments, the method and apparatus of the present invention are comprised of a heat exchanger that combines a laundry rinsing section and an extraction section and receives companion fluids. The water is passed through a heat exchanger in a heat exchange relationship with incoming fresh water being supplied to the rinse station of the washing machine. The streams exiting the submerging and washing sections of the washing machine are combined and fed to a heat exchanger to exchange heat with fresh water and extract heat from the wastewater exiting the machine. The water supplied to the washing machine from its submerged section is obtained from the combined water flowing out from the rinsing section and from the extraction section of the device, and this water is sent to the submerged section via a heat exchanger W! It is divided into a section J1 and a second section that is shunted around a heat exchanger, and these two sections are combined to produce a predetermined temperature for use in the submerged section.

The present invention may be more clearly understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, which diagrammatically illustrate a continuous flow washing machine in accordance with the principles of the invention.

(F) Referring to the drawings, a rotating cylindrical drum IO is provided with a plurality of compartments 11 to 22, and each compartment is separated from adjacent compartments by a baffle plate formed in an Archimedean screw type. has been done.

Continuous flow washing machines incorporating such cylindrical drums are referred to in the art as "tunnel machines" or "tunnel washers" and are available from many manufacturers well known in the art. The chambers 11 to 22 can be divided into groups according to the function they perform. Typically, a washing machine has a submerging section (compartments 11, 12) and a washing section (compartments 13 to 18).
It is divided into a rinsing section (compartments 19 to 22) and an extraction section 31. Furthermore, these sections can be subdivided as shown, with compartments 13, 14, and 15 also designated as preheat subsections while compartment 22 may be designated as the acid subsection in the figures. The dry laundry enters the apparatus through the chute 25 and advances from left to right to the chute 27 as viewed from the drawing. The laundry is cleaned in chute 27, but is saturated with the necessary excess water. An extractor, indicated diagrammatically at 31, removes the excess fluid that accumulates in reservoir 35. A conveyor 29 transports the laundry to a drying section (not shown) where residual moisture is removed.

Water used in the washing process passes through the cylinder lo from right to left, ie, in a flow relationship against the laundry. Steam is introduced into the apparatus from a steam source 40 as shown at 38, and water heated by external steam can be introduced into the apparatus from a storage tank 45.The water in the storage tank 45 is heated from a steam source 46.Storage tank 45 is supplied with water from an adjacent storage tank 50, and this storage tank 5
o receives the water flowing out from the drum or cylinder 1° as indicated by 52. The flowing water 52 exits the rinse section at a relatively high temperature. The water sent to the storage tank 85 is combined with the water sent to the storage tank 85 by a method described later, and then supplied to the submerged part.

The water in the wash section is combined with water 72 exiting the cylinder as indicated at 62 and flowing out of the submersion section.

The water flowing out from the submerging section and the washing section is combined, passed through a filter 67, and then sent by a pump 69 to a drain 70 via a heat exchanger (described later). The dry laundry entering chute 25 is saturated and drenched with incoming water at a controlled temperature. Therefore, the laundry entering the washing machine is "pre-washed" at a relatively low temperature (typically about 100°F) at the outlet to remove dirt that could stick to the laundry if the water temperature was higher. remove. The laundry is transferred from the submerging section to the preheating section, where the temperature of the water is increased and the temperature is increased to 3.
In the compartment 16 in which steam is injected as indicated at 8, the hot water, indicated at 42, is heated to a certain suitable washing temperature (
Generally maintained at around 180'F. It will also be appreciated that the water flowing through the wash section flows against the laundry, so that the dirtiest wash water acts on the dirtiest laundry and the freshest water acts on the least soiled laundry. When the washing phase is completed as the laundry passes through the drum 10, it passes into compartments 1.9 to 22 where it is rinsed with the rinsing water introduced. The acidic subsection is specifically provided to introduce a 73H corrector to neutralize any bleach that may remain on the laundry. If not removed, bleach residue typically causes the laundry to yellow due to the heat applied during the drying cycle or subsequent ironing. Various detergents and related chemicals can be injected into the drum 10 at various locations using well-known principles and techniques. The selection of chemicals depends on a variety of factors, including the nature and quality of the water available in the laundry, and the choice of chemicals depends on a variety of factors, including the material of the laundry, including the expected soiling conditions of a typical laundry. Choose however you like.

Overflow 70- from storage tank 35.50 is combined and fed to heat exchanger 80. Heat exchanger 80 consists of a plate and frame heat exchanger formed of a plurality of plates forming grooves between adjacent ones. Although other types of heat exchangers may be used, the plate and frame type provides superior thermal efficiency and space savings. Heat exchanger 80 may be comprised of a single sectioned heat exchanger or a plurality of heat exchangers interconnected to provide fluid flow therethrough in a manner well known in the art. Accordingly, the terms "first,""second," or "third" as used in the present invention may be considered synonymous with corresponding parts of a single heat exchanger. The combined fluid flow from the rinse and extraction sections, collected in reservoirs 50 and 85, respectively, is then conveyed via conduit 82 to heat exchanger 80 and exits the heat exchanger in the direction indicated by arrows 8B and 84. 8
5, a portion of the flow is sent to the drain 70 and the heat adjustment valve 86
supplied to

At points 72 and 62, respectively, the water exiting from the cylinder 10 and the fluid flowing out from the washing section are combined, filtered by a filter 67 and supplied to a heat exchanger 80 by a pump 69. This waste water is directed through a heat exchanger 80 and directed to a drain 70 as indicated by arrow 90. Fresh water, such as from the municipal water supply, is supplied to a conduit 95 and is divided and a portion is diverted to the wash basin. The water flowing out from the rinsing section and the water flowing out from the washing section passes through a heat exchanger as shown by arrow 96, and another portion passes through a heat exchanger as shown by arrow 96 with the liquid flowing out from the rinsing section and the extraction section. Thus, the two portions of fresh water gain heat while passing through the heat exchanger in parallel and are then combined into heat exchange relationship with the fluid exiting the rinse and extraction sections by conduit 100. The incoming fresh water is thus directed as shown at 102. Thus, the incoming fresh water flows parallel to it to extract heat from the fluid exiting each part of the washing machine and is then combined to provide a combination of water only from the rinse and extraction parts. When fresh water flows in a parallel series through the heat exchanger, the low-grade heat from the relatively low temperature wastewater from the wash section and the rinse section The high degree of heat from the extraction part can be extracted together with the extraction part.

A portion of the water from the rinse and brew sections is routed from conduit 82 via conduit 105 to heat regulation valve 86 . Therefore conduit 1
05 is relatively high temperature (the temperature of the combined fluid flowing out from the rinsing section and the extraction section), and the temperature of the water sent from the outlet holes 85 of the external heat exchanger 80 to the heat adjustment valve is compared. It can be seen that the heat extracted from heat exchanger 80 during movement is relatively low. A heat regulating valve 86, which is a commercially available device, is connected to the conduit 10.
The water from the heat exchanger 5 and the heat exchanger 80 can be set to be proportionate so that the water being sent to the washing section has a predetermined temperature and flow rate. Water not required by regulating valve 85 is sent to drain 70.

It will be appreciated that heat exchanger 80 can be formed of one heat exchanger or two or more heat exchangers. For example, it may be convenient to form heat exchanger 80 with two heat exchangers 110, 111.

The heat exchanger 110 receives fresh water directed into its two parallel separate sections, the first section of the heat exchanger receiving heat from the wash section and the fluid flow exiting the wash section. The second heat exchange section receives heat from the rinse section and the extraction section. A second heat exchanger 111 receives heated fresh water from the first heat exchanger 110 and is oriented to exchange heat with a hotter fluid stream exiting the rinse section and the extraction section. .

- By way of example, the washing machine described above is shown having the following flow rates in gallons per minute and temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit:

Compartments 11 and 12 100°F #18
125°F#14
186°F1 15 153°F#
16.17 and 18 180°F 1 19 166°F # 20
159°F#21
155°F1 22 155
Water entering the °F wash section = 30 gallons/minute at 100 °F, water entering temperature control valve 86: 10 at 161 °F in conduit 105
．． 9 gal/min, 19.1 gal/min at 65°F with heat exchanger, water to drain: 87.5 gal/min at 65’F;
Combined outflow flow from the drain section and washing section: 114°
23 gal/min at F, after passing through heat exchanger to rinse section = 40 gal/min at 145°F, flow leaving rinse section (excluding that supplied to wash section), 166°
27 gal/min at F, extractor effluent: 155°F
Combined stream exiting the rinse and extract sections: 44 gallons/min at 161°F, portion of combined effluent stream fed to heat exchanger = 3 at 161°F
3.7 gallons/minute water supplied to sink = 180°F
13 gallons per minute, heat requirement in the form of steam, 15.8 HP (g) Effect of the Invention Therefore, the present invention combines the washing section and the wastewater extraction from the washing section and transfers it to one of the two heat exchangers. (or the first part of one heat exchanger). Also, water is extracted from the rinsing section and the extraction section, combined and passed through the second section of the first heat exchanger or the second heat exchanger, and the fresh water supplied to the rinsing section is combined with the washing section. The wastewater is passed through the first heat exchanger in a heat exchange relationship with the wastewater from the washing section. The fresh water from the first heat exchanger (or the first part of one heat exchanger) is also passed through the second heat exchanger or (the second part of one heat exchanger). Mix with water. The mixed fresh water must then be passed through another heat exchanger to extract further heat from the combined effluent from the rinse and extraction sections. The fresh water leaving this heat exchanger is then sent to a rinse section. The method of extracting water from and directing it to different parts of the washing machine, which involves extracting heat in heat exchangers, has several advantages, the most important of which is that it saves considerable energy. be.

As explained in the previous example, the heat required for operation in this example was 15.8 BHP. Using the same type of equipment and following the prior art procedure, it would take 26.4 EHP to process the same load of laundry. Therefore, considerable savings can be made with the device of the invention.

Another major advantage, and one that contributes to the overall efficiency of the laundry, is that the device of the present invention produces very high temperatures in the rinse section so that the damp or wet laundry is heated to a temperature higher than that which is customary in the prior art. It will be sent to the dryer at a fairly high temperature.

Elevating the wet laundry to such high temperatures requires less additional heat to dry the laundry, resulting in significantly less power consumption during the laundry drying stage. Also, the temperature of the washing section is conveniently controlled to prevent dirt from sticking to the laundry introduced therein.The washing section and the fluid flowing out from the washing section are generally not recoverable in the prior art. It was thought to be a low-grade fever.

In the apparatus of the present invention, the fresh water flowing through the heat exchanger is parallel to the waste water in a heat exchange relationship, and the heat is extracted from the rinsing section and the extraction section from which high-degree heat was previously extracted. Extract degree of heat. Extracting this low degree heat in parallel greatly contributes to the overall thermal efficiency of the device.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a continuous flow washing machine according to the present invention. 10... Washing device, 11.12... Washing section, 13-
18...washing section, 19-22...rinsing section, 31.
... pouring section, 85.50 ... means for collecting and combining the effluent streams from the rinsing and extraction section, 43 ... submerging water supply means, 46 ... means for applying heat, 67 ... washing water and Means for collecting and combining the effluents from the washing section, 80... Heat exchanger, 382... Means for supplying fresh water, 86...
- Proportional means, 110.111...first and second heat exchangers. (5 others) Engraving of drawings (no change in content) Procedural amendment (method) % formula % 1. Indication of incident 1985 Karishigan No. t2z9'll's7 1 above 6=
: Capital-1, A' q t'r? tTI:L
',7i'',th $i・bz,'2
+I, I: 1 + 2 S 3 Oniiro 3 on the back of Su・q31A, Relationship with the case of the person making the amendment Applicant Address Name Shiteya 1 Fang Kakufuman 4, Agent 〆26, Subject of amendment '1・1

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) (a) A washing section for storing laundry to be washed; (b) a washing section for washing laundry received from the washing section; (c)
) a rinsing section that receives the washed laundry from the washing section; (d) an extraction section that receives the laundry from the rinsing section and removes water therefrom; and (e) supplying wash water to the washing section at a predetermined temperature. (f) means for adding heat and water to the washing section to increase the temperature of the water and laundry during washing; and (g) means for collecting and combining the washing section and the water flowing out from the washing section. ,
means for directing the combined effluent through a first heat exchanger; (h) collecting and combining the effluent from the rinse section and the extraction section and directing a portion of the combined effluent through a second heat exchanger; and (i) means for supplying heated water to the first and second heat exchangers and directing heated fresh water from the heat exchangers to a rinse section. type washing device. 2) connected to receive fresh water from the first and second heat exchangers to direct the heated fresh water to the rinse section and to collect the combined water flowing out from the rinse section and the extraction section; 2. The apparatus of claim 1, including a third heat exchanger for receiving. 3) connected to directly receive a portion of the combined water flowing out from the rinsing section and the extraction section and to receive another portion of the combined water flowing out after passing through a second heat exchanger, and both portions of the flowing water; 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising proportional means for supplying water at a predetermined temperature to the washing section. 4) Directly receives part of the combined water flowing out from the rinsing part and extraction part, receives another part of the combined water after passing through a heat exchanger, and supplies water to the washing part at a predetermined temperature. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising proportional means connected in such a manner. 5) In a continuous flow commercial laundry device having a washing section, a rinsing section, and an extraction section, (a) collecting and combining water flowing from the washing section and the wash section;
means for directing the combined water through a first heat exchanger; (b) collecting and combining the water effluent from the rinse section and the extraction section and passing a portion of the combined effluent through a second heat exchanger; (c) means for supplying heated fresh water to the first and second heat exchangers and directing the heated fresh water from the heat exchangers to the rinse section. . 6) Directly receiving a portion of the combined water flow exiting from the rinsing section and the extraction section and receiving another portion of the combined water after it has passed through a second heat exchanger and combining both portions of the water. 6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising proportional means connected to supply water at a predetermined temperature to the washing section. 7) A method of recovering heat in a continuous flow commercial laundry device having a washing section, a washing section, a rinsing section and an extraction section, the method comprising: (a) extracting water from the washing section and the washing section; passing the combined wastewater through a first heat exchanger; (b) extracting the water flowing out from the rinsing section and the extraction section; passing the combined and combined water through a second heat exchanger; (d) passing the fresh water in heat exchange relationship with the effluent water through a second heat exchanger; and fresh water flowing from a second heat exchanger and directing the mixed water to a rinse section. 8) A portion of the water flowing out from the rinsing section and the extraction section is
8. The method of claim 7 including the step of combining a portion of the water exiting the heat exchanger and directing the combined portion to a wash station. 9) The method of claim 7 including the step of passing the mixed fresh water in heat exchange relationship with the effluent water through a third heat exchanger before directing it to the rinsing section.