Simulation and experimental study of household R290 heat pump tumble dryer
Heat pump clothes dryers have become a core focus for energy-saving upgrades in household appliances, thanks to their high energy efficiency and low-temperature drying features. To address safety and efficiency challenges of R290 heat pump dryers under compact design constraints, this study conducts systematic research on closed-cycle heat pump tumble dryer systems with eco-friendly R290 via integrated simulation and experiments. A quasi-steady-state model for closed-cycle systems is proposed, based on reverse enthalpy marching mechanisms coupled with the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. Prototype validation confirms model reliability, with average temperature prediction discrepancies 0.5 K. Combining thermodynamics with heat-mass transfer coupling, the study explores how compressor frequency, airflow rate, and other factors affect specific moisture extraction rate (SMER) and moisture extraction rate (MER). Optimizing compressor frequency boosts MER by 62.9% (1.26?2.05 kg/h) and SMER by 13.0% (2.23?2.52 kg/kWh). Within the test range, the MER decreases with increasing air volume flow rate (1.80?1.86 kg/h), while the SMER increases with increasing air volume flow rate (2.21?2.49 kg/kWh). This research provides a novel modeling paradigm for heat pump dryers and offers theoretical/optimization support for high -safety R290 engineering design.