The effect of fabric movement on drying performance of the domestic drum dryer

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the effect of fabric movement on drying efficiency of the domestic drum dryer under various conditions including the type of textile material, drying load, fabric size and rotating speed of drum. A high-speed camera was utilized to monitor the outlines of the fabric in the drying process. The results indicated that the fabric movement patterns shifted from sliding or falling to rotating with the decrease of drying load and the fabric size or the increase of the rotating speed of drum. Additionally, the complex movement patterns involving successively sliding, falling, swing and rotating in the drying process presented higher drying efficiency than the repeated single movement patterns such as sliding or rotating. The optimum rotating speed range of 45–50 rpm in complex movement patterns afforded the highest drying efficiency and improved the appearance smoothness of fabric after drying.