Continuous flow laundry system and method.

摘要

A continuous flow laundry system and method incorporates a fluid flow control, temperature control, and heat recovery systems. Steam 38 is injected into the system to derive appropriate temperatures for washing laundry; rinse water 36 is provided at a predetermined elevated temperature by passing fresh water 95 through a heat exchanger 80 to derive heat from designated outflows of the system. As soiled laundry enters the system to flow counter to the washing fluid flow, it is subjected to a flushing section provided with flush water 75 at a reduced elevated temperature; the laundry is then passed through a washing section 13-18 where it is subjected to water at an elevated temperature for the washing cycle. The washed laundry is passed to a rinse section (19-22) and subsequently to an extractor section 31 for removal of excess water therefrom. Outflow rinse water 50 is combined with water from the extractor 35 and supplied to the heat exchanger 80; a portion of this combined outflow 105 is shunted around the heat exchanger to be mixed with the outflow passing through the heat exchanger 85 to control the temperature of the water supplied to the flush section 11-12. Outflow (72,62) from the wash and flush sections is combined and supplied to the heat exchanger (80) for extraction of heat therefrom to elevate the temperature of the fresh water 95 in the heat exchanger to be supplied to the rinse section. (19-22)