Efficient technology hangs costs out to dry

14 December 2016



The drying process consumes more energy than any laundering process. Tony Vince discovers how efficient dryers are essential in reducing running costs


Visitors to this year’s Texcare International in Frankfurt were able to see for themselves the latest generation of energy-efficient tumble dryers.

There were several cost-effective solutions on show, giving the laundry professionals plenty to ponder when applying dryer technology to their specific operation.

With its commitment to WashPerformance efficiency at this year’s Texcare International, Stahl Wäschereimaschinenbau introduced visitors to the full spectrum of its heavy-duty laundry machines, including its next generation of heavy-duty tumble dryers. Two new models with load capacities of 8kg and 35kg have been developed recently and these will join its existing heavy-duty dryers, the T252 to T256 with load capacities between 40kg to 110kg. Uwe Stahl says there is greater focus on productivity in the laundry, adding that the energy consumption of the dryers is very important for each laundry manager. “Our new generation of dryers have an enormous potential to reduce the energy consumption,” he says. Stahl can supply dryers with an integrated plate heat exchanger. Its dryers also benefit from additional insulation and direct drive system, which removes the limitations of an ordinary mechanical drive.

The Kannegiesser super laundry stand at Texcare featured the company’s smart laundry concept. Its cross system technology applies to products across the entire laundry, including the washroom. While the energy issue is not completely new, it has become more and more important, according to Kannegiesser. The development of energy-efficient dryers has improved dramatically, prompting many customers to replace their dryers to use space more efficiently. Kannegiesser’s PowerDry D.II series features models with a nominal loading capacity of 40, 60, 85, 120, 175 and 220kg, available in gas, oil and steam-heated versions. Radial airflow is combined with the controlled speed of the drum to guarantee an effective flow through the batch.

If the PowerDry D.II dryer is used in combination with the company’s ECO-2 Power package, energy consumption is said to reduced by 20% from the original PowerDry model. Using Infra-Touch Control, the degree of drying is continuously determined by measuring certain parameters. This allows accurate control of all functions across the entire drying process, individually batch-by-batch. Recognition of the exact drying point of the linen ensures the shortest drying time. The PowerDry D.II series has several optional features that can be used to optimise the drying process and increase daily productivity. The EAC (Energy Air Control) controls the timing and volume of the in-build heat recovery, making the entire integrated heat recovery system even more efficient. The Accelerated Cool Down design ensures that only cool air ends up in the inner drum, so accelerating the cooling process.

The Jensen Group says that its current range of WR dryers will allow laundries to cut their energy bills by as much as 15% while increasing evaporation capacity by as much as 10%. At Texcare two new developments were recently added to the Jensen product offering for the washroom section: Jensen stand-alone washer extractors and tumble dryers, JWE and JTD, all under the Jensen brand. Available in loads of 20, 40, 60 or 110 kg (45, 90, 130 or 250 lbs), the JWE and JTD were designed with a focus on quality and increased operational efficiency.

Tolon has been working in partnership with the Jensen Group for more than five years. Last year they reached agreement for Tolon to produce washer-extractors and dryers under the Jensen label as well as selling its own products. The Tolon TD (Tumble Dryers) comprises four models – TD 20 (20kg), TD 40 (40kg), TD 60 (60kg) and TD 110 (110kg). The machines feature standard inverter drive for smooth operation, fully insulated energy-saving stainless steel drum for long life and easily accessible stainless steel filter with window for visual management. Options include fresh air intake flap for rapid cooldown on TD20/40/60, adjustable drum speed, a humidity sensor for efficient drying and a sprinkler device for fire suppression on steam heated models.

Girbau continues to see more customers looking to wetcleaning, and this has increased sales of Girbau’s ED series. The ED Series dryers provide total control over individual elements of the programme including speed, drum rotation and heating to ensure maximum efficiency. The dryers offer huge energy savings and are ideally suited to wet cleaning as well.

The Transflow technology combines radial and axial airflow for maximum efficiency and drying throughout the drum, reducing cycle times and lowering energy consumption. Cabinet insulation and a double-glazed door prevent heat escaping and further optimise energy efficiency. The ED Series dryers feature a built-in humidity control system that automatically senses when clothes are dry and activates the cool down process maximising energy efficiency and assuring textile care. This avoids overdrying and allows gains in operational efficiency. There are 10 preset programs catering for most commonly laundered fabrics and new programs are also easy to set up, if required

New technology is being developed that enables dryers to use less energy and deliver greater productivity and this is driving change, according to Alliance Laundry Systems. The company has made a significant investment in new management systems with dashboards to record and display drying cycles and key data such as the drying time, temperature and load.

The Alliance heat pump dryers show how dryer technology is evolving. The latest Primus dryers, for example, require considerably less power to operate effectively (less than 4 kW, compared to 15 – 25kW for conventional dryers of the same capacity).

They also consume 60% less energy, says the company. The heat pump drying cycle is reasonably short. Depending on the model, it varies from 36minutes for the 9kg dryer to 58minutes for the 16kg dryer.

Primus has introduced the Heat Pump versions to its existing T range of tumble dryers. There are currently four models, T9 HP (9kg), T11 HP (11kg), T13 HP (13kg) and the T16 HP (16kg).

Electrolux Professional says that energy consumption has been always a key factor for customers. Being able to reduce costs while maintaining a high quality standard is fundamental to being competitive. “The importance of energy costs is expected to further grow in the future and will become even more relevant,” says Electrolux.

Electrolux Professional has launched the T5190 Low Energy (LE) Dryer. Also known as the Heat Pump Dryer, the product was developed with contributions from users and experts in the global professional laundry field. Smart, green and economical, the T5190LE is designed for 30,000 cycles and is said to be ideal for on-premises-laundries and multi-house buildings. The Heat Pump Dryer conserves heat rather than releasing it into the surrounding environment, and decreases energy consumption by more than a half compared to conventional dryers with a class A energy label. While this equates to a drying cycle of up to two hours for other heat pump dryers, Electrolux’s T5190LE model only takes 51 minutes to complete the full load cycle. The Plug-and-Play design makes for a stress-free, flexile installation; and with no exhaust or ventilation needed, the T5190LE it has one of the smallest footprints on the market, as well as reduced noise levels.

Domus of Spain showcased its New Generation of laundry equipment at Texcare, including several models and features that are the result of continuous investment in research and development. Domus says that its Eco-Energy series of dryers can minimise drying time and make energy savings of up to 40%. With a nominal loading capacity of 12, 18, 29, 37, 50, 67 and 83kg, available in electric, gas or steam heated versions, the Domus Eco-Energy dryer has a stainless steel drum and features a frequency inverter as standard. The series has been expanded with the addition of a 24kg capacity model.

Domus developed its Air Re-cycle recirculation system to reintroduce expelled hot air into the machine directly through the back of the drum. The mixed axial-radial airflow provided by the Domus Double Flow system increases drying efficiency by improving the airflow inside the drum.

Efficient Dry is a humidity sensor developed by Domus that offers precise control of the moisture in the linen and avoids overdrying. The drying cycle will automatically stop when it reaches the set level of residual moisture.

The drying system can automatically adapt the speed of the drum to the humidity level of the load. The drum then moves at the optimal speed to ensure maximum humidity extraction, so reducing both drying time and energy consumption.

According to Steve Hietpas, new business development manager for Whirlpool Corporation, microprocessor controls are very important to the laundry operation and offer an easy-to-use system with one-touch program selection that can control all aspects of the washing process, so minimising user error and maximising efficiency. Maytag Commercial Laundry manufactures its products with long-lasting parts that meet ongoing market demands. The powerful innovation and technology built into the machines contribute to overall energy-efficiency, while ensuring a dependable machine and an exceptional wash experience.

The Sensor Activated Fire Extinguishing (S.A.F.E.) System helps to eliminate fire concerns by sensing a fire condition and dispensing water to extinguish it. The system then shuts itself down so water damage and cleanup is minimal.

For owners looking to maximise performance, the Maytag Commercial Laundry 75lb Dryer is ergonomically designed and engineered with fully programmable, easy-to-use controls.

In addition, OPL efficiency can be improved by incorporating dryers with Residual Moisture Control (RMC). to ensure linens aren’t over dried.

Miele Professional says that energy savings are extremely important in the energy-intensive drying process.

Miele has different dryer technologies in its portfolio, starting from standard electric, gas or steam heated dryers through to heat-pump technology and its H2O dryers that use only the heat extracted from hot water to dry the laundry.

Miele Professional now offers slimline heat-pump dryers for customers with limited space and large volumes of laundry to process. The PT 8203 WP has been introduced to the the SlimLine series and, with a width of only 71cm, fits through doors and into confined spaces with ease.

The new heat-pump module is fully integrated into the dryer itself. The PT 8203 WP has a load capacity of up to 10kg and a drum volume of 200l. The other heat-pump dryers from Miele cater for load capacities of 6.5kg, 10kg and 13kg.

CAREFUL PROCESS


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