Abstract
Positron emission particle tracking (PEPT) has been used to investigate the motion of radioactively labeled tracer particles attached to fabrics and solid fabric enhancer (SFE) delivery articles, such as dryer sheets, in the domestic clothes dryer. This work examines the dynamics of motion within the dryer across a range of operating conditions. Six regions within the dryer drum are identified, demonstrating the range of movements experienced by items during tumbling. These show clear correlation with existing flow regimes describing behavior of granular media in rotating drums. Fabric motion is primarily cataracting to maximize the surface area of fabric available to interact with drying air in the falling region, with some conditions moving toward centrifuging or cascading flows. Movement in the axial direction was significantly slower than the primary radial flow. Dryer sheets were more prone to centrifuging than fabrics, with significant time spent in contact with the drum wall. Conversely, a wool dryer ball was more likely to cascade, spending time mixed into the top of a fabric bed which forms in the impact and lifting regions. Behavior in this bed is primarily determined by frictional interactions with the drum wall, which subsequently affects behavior in the 5 remaining regions. The most significant changes to this behavior were observed when changing fabric moisture content and volumetric fill ratio, with wet fabrics and smaller load sizes both exhibiting faster falling speeds and spending more time in the fabric bed. The changes were most significant in the lifting, falling and detachment regions, with varying acceleration and shearing likely to influence both fabric wear and SFE delivery.
Highlights
Clothes drying is a common household process based on a simple principle; fabrics tumble in a drum through a flow of hot air, aiding the evaporation of water remaining after washing
Positron emission particle tracking (PEPT) has been used to investigate the motion of radioactively labeled tracer particles attached to fabrics and solid fabric enhancer (SFE) delivery articles, such as dryer sheets, in the domestic clothes dryer
To test the accuracy of the PEPT equipment and PEPT-ML algorithm, a tracer particle was attached to the inside drum wall at a known location and the drum rotated for 10 cycles
Summary
Clothes drying is a common household process based on a simple principle; fabrics tumble in a drum through a flow of hot air, aiding the evaporation of water remaining after washing. Odor, wrinkling, and static cling are important factors, difficult to control with changes to the drying process alone. These benefits may be delivered by the addition of solid fabric enhancers (SFE) to the dryer using products such as dryer sheets. The SFE mixture is transferred to items of clothing in surface-surface interactions The behavior of items within the dryer, including interactions between fabrics, SFE coated articles and the dryer drum, will be significant in both the drying process and delivery of fabric care benefits. The objective is to further understanding of behavior of these items throughout different regions of the dryer and along the length of the drying cycle (i.e., as moisture content decreases) for a range of consumer representative load conditions
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
