HYDROCARBONS, HEAT PUMP, HOME LAUNDRY DRYER: ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY APPLIANCE

Abstract: As consequence of Global Warming concern, the developed nations must reduce the level of green-house gases emissions. Both direct effect of low GWP refrigerant and indirect effect of reduced energy consumption must be taken in account. Isobutane (R600a) is dominating in household european market, while propane (R290) is well consolidated in low temperature commercial application, like ice cream chest freezers. On the other hand, the use of heat pumps in dryers, tap water heaters and similar applications becomes to be diffused, and R134a is the preferred refrigerant till today. The combination of heat pump energy efficiency with hydrocarbons green properties is opening a wide range of new opportunities with a lower environmental impact. A commercially available heat pump laundry dryer, using R134a, and its evolution towards R290 application is presented in this article. Dryer working conditions, compressor reliability and energy efficiency comparison with standard equipments using electrical heaters are discussed, and some experimental results are shown