Experimental evaluation and transient simulation of detergent transport in household vertical axis washing machines

摘要

Detergent transport between the compartments and through the garments during the washing process in household top-load washing machines is investigated. An experimental methodology was put forward for evaluating the time evolution of the detergent concentration in each compartment, and also in a probe enveloped by a cotton-linen that emulates the garments. The experiments were carried out following a full factorial experiment, pointing out the detergent insertion location and the agitation speed as the rate-determining factors. A lumped transient model was put forward for the convective transport of detergent. The set of ODEs was solved numerically through an adaptive time-step algorithm. The closing parameters required by the model were reduced from the experimental data, thus providing the model with a semi-empirical character. The model predictions for the time evolution of the detergent concentration and the experimental data agreed to within the range of the measurement uncertainties (similar to 15%). (C) 2016 The Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved: