Energy losses by air leakage in condensing tumble dryers

Tumble dryers, used for the drying of textiles, consume a considerable amount of electricity due to the large number of dryers in use. A large amount of this electricity is produced from coal, making it important to reduce the electricity use and, hence, the carbon dioxide emissions. Earlier studies made on the condensing tumble dryer have pointed out that leakage is one of the parameters affecting the electricity use for the drying process. With a view to reducing the energy use, leakage was estimated through measurements and modelling. Energy balances were used in order to verify the leakage. The energy balance showed good agreement with the results from the model and confirms that the leakage out from the dryer arises mainly between the heater and the drum where the air is hot and has low relative humidity. Large leakage at this location is detrimental for the energy efficiency of the dryer, meaning that the leakage must be reduced in order to obtain a reduced energy use. Results from the model also point out that even small changes in the size of gaps, or changes to the pressure in the internal system, result in a significant change in leakage from the dryer.

► Energy balances and fluid mechanics modelling have been performed on a tumble dryer.
► Main leakage of drying gas was found between the heater and the drum of the dryer.
► Leakage at this location has a large impact on the energy efficiency.
► Both energy balances and modelling strengthens the assumption of leakage location.