Continuous flow laundry system and method

Abstract

A continuous flow laundry system and method incorporates a fluid flow control, temperature control, and heat recovery systems. Steam is injected into the system to derive appropriate temperatures for washing laundry; rinse water is provided at a predetermined elevated temperature by passing fresh water through a heat exchanger to derive heat from designated outflows of the system. As soiled laundry enters the system to flow counter to the washing fluid flow, it is subjected to a flushing section provided with flush water at a reduced elevated temperature; the laundry is then passed through a washing section where it is subjected to water at an elevated temperature for the washing cycle. The washed laundry is passed to a rinse section and subsequently to an extractor section for removal of excess water therefrom. Outflow rinse water is combined with water from the extractor and supplied to the heat exchanger; a portion of this combined outflow is shunted around the heat exchanger to be mixed with the outflow passing through the heat exchanger to control the temperature of the water supplied to the flush section. Outflow from the wash and flush sections is combined and supplied to the heat exchanger for extraction of heat therefrom to elevate the temperature of the fresh water in the heat exchanger to be supplied to the rinse section.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.