The use of waste heat from domestic refrigerator for drying clothes

Year 2019, Volume: 2 Issue: 2, 41 - 46, 31.05.2019

Nicholas Musa

Abstract

 This paper exhibits the
experimental study of the use  of waste
heat from domestic refrigerator for drying clothes.  A  
0.4m³ capacity drying closet with a 100W blower was fitted to
the back side of an LG refrigerator which contains the condenser that emits
waste heat.  Wet clothes of weights
1.32kg, 1.96kg, 2.89kg, 3.12kg and 4.10kg  
were hung in the drying closet  in
succession to dry when the refrigerator was in operation.  Air flow temperature, drying closet
temperature, hot air velocity in the drying closet,  relative humidity and drying time were
measured.  The
drying characteristics and performance of the drying closet were
evaluated.  The results of the
study revealed that wet clothes of weights 1.32kg, 1.96kg, 2.89kg, 3.12kg and
4.10kg  were respectively dried  in 55, 65, 100, 105 and 130 minutes. The
drying rate is in the range of 6.02kg/min to 11.06kg/min.  Specific moisture extraction rate varied
between 0.752kg/kWh and 1.833kg/kWh   and
drying efficiency of the closet varied between 48.8 and 63.1%.

Keywords

Waste heat, refrigerator, clothes, drying

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