Case study:-calender covers in a hospital laundry. Energy Efficiency Office, Department of Energy.
Whipps Cross Hospital laundry is typical of many laundries, both in the commercial sector and NHS, in that it uses old calenders which are substantially less efficient than more modern machines. Although calendering is a relatively efficient method of moisture removal, the quantity of flatwork processed by this laundry means that the calendering section uses a significant proportion of the total laundry energy consumption. In common with many other laundries, the four calenders were producing a great deal of airborne lint which required expensive cleaning at regular intervals, and made the working environment uncomfortable, reducing the performance and morale of the operators. In an effort to improve this situation, covers were fitted to all the calenders in early 1989. These were claimed to improve energy efficiency by reducing the heat losses from the calender's upper surfaces and to improve the local atmosphere by reducing the quantity of lint and moist air escaping into the laundry. This case study examines the savings (both energy savings and others) achieved by the installation of the covers, and assesses any drawbacks which may have become apparent after extended use.
D003246:Conservation of Energy Resources / Q000191:economics*; D017046:Cost Savings / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003625:Data Collection; D004526:Efficiency; D004867:Equipment Design / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D007846:Laundering / Q000295:instrumentation; D007847:Laundry Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008131:London; D013222:State Medicine