Abstract
This paper deals with long-term research activities related to energy, water and detergent consumption in industrial laundries and related energy intensive processes. An original approach consists of analysis of all the process in a professional laundry. The aim is to target possible energy savings and low potential heat utilization. In-house software for simulation was used for this purpose. Since this W2E (Waste to Energy) software was created as open source it was adapted for the purpose of simulation in process and power industry in various types of energy intensive processes. The most energy consuming equipment was identified and the process as a whole as well as individual apparatuses was investigated. The computational approach was supported by measurements in real facilities. This effort continued and laundry of the future was designed. This laundry enables testing of various operational regimes, verification of models, improving of key equipment design, and also comparing efficiency of processes using various detergents and economic analyses.
Professional laundry process involves implementation of energy efficient technologies; however, being lack of operational data is a common feature. Therefore the first testing laundry was built in NETME Centre. It represents a unique technology which enables to analyse the operational costs comprising:Water, energy and chemicals costsDirect labour costsCosts of transportFurther, economics in this field in various European countries based on specific factors was evaluated. Recent research activities lead to development of an original comprehensive approach. This approach utilizes experience and know-how from analyses of various energy demanding processes both in the process and energy industries as well as municipal sphere. It is also based on using sophisticated computational methods (simulation of heat and mass balance, CFD simulation, equipment modelling, experimental data processing, modelling of economics). Credible data are acquired from operation of up- to-date testing laundry. Then it is possible to analyse the system quite thoroughly and provide manufacturers of equipment, manufacturers of detergents, operators and investors as well as the customers and linen testing institutes with valuable data and recommendations.
