Method and apparatus for drying a load of moist fibrous material, particularly a load of laundry
AssigneeA.R.M.I.N.E.S - Association pour la Recherche et le Development des Methodes et Processus Industriels
InventorDenis Clodic
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A 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.degree. 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.
Claims10
Method of drying a load of moist fibrous laundry material after washing, contained in a circuit containing moist air, the method comprising the following two successive phases:
- a first phase of flushing and replacement of the moist air present in the circuit with steam whereby air is withdrawn from the circuit and released to the atmosphere;
- and
- a second drying phase of passing superheated steam at a temperature ranging between 102.degree. C.-180.degree. C. and substantially at atmospheric pressure through the load of fibrous laundry material, in closed circuit.
Apparatus for drying a load of moist fibrous material, comprising:
- an enclosure for housing the load of moist fibrous material, said enclosure having an outlet and an inlet connected in a closed circuit containing moist air with a principal pipe;
- heating means for producing steam, connected to said principal pipe upstream of the inlet of said enclosure;
- said heating means being structured and arranged to produce a) steam during a first phase of flushing and replacement of the moist air by steam, and b) superheated steam at a temperature ranging from 102.degree. C. to 180.degree. C. and substantially at atmospheric pressure during a subsequent second drying phase;
- an exhaust fan connected on said principal pipe for circulating steam during the first phase of flushing the moist air, and thereafter for circulating superheated steam during the second drying phase through the principal pipe and the enclosure;
- selective communication means operatively associated with the circuit for venting to the outside, during said first phase, the air content in the moist air;
- and
- condensing means connected to said principal pipe for condensing a part of the steam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.