The drying process of heat pump clothes dryer (HPCD) has complex characteristics for strong coupling (the thermal cycle of the refrigerant side is coupled with the drying cycle of the air side)

time-varying (the system operating parameters change with drying time)

and integration (limited space integrating evaporator

condenser

fan

compressor

etc.)

which brings great difficulty to theoretical analysis of drying performance of HPCD. Based on certain simplifications

this paper analyzes the effects of different compressor capacities and fan airflows on the moisture extraction rate per unit time (MER) and moisture extraction rate per energy consumption (SMER) of the HPCD. The study found that under the same airflow

the condenser discharge air temperature within the analysis range of 20 to 80 degrees

the evaporator discharge air temperature within the analysis range of 10 to 50degrees

the SMER increases first and then decreases with the condenser discharge air temperature and evaporator discharge air temperature

and for the HPCD analyzed in this paper

when drying half load 5kg clothes

by theoretical calculation

there is an optimal condenser discharge air temperature 53 degrees and evaporator discharge air temperature 27degrees that maximizes the SMER of the HPCD

and the optimal evaporator discharge and condenser discharge air temperature is related to the COP of heat pump system and the mass and heat transfer capacity of air with clothes. Under the same evaporator discharge and condenser discharge temperatures

the airflow within the analysis range of 0.02~0.08kg/s

the SMER first increases and then decreases with the airflow

and there is an optimal working airflow 0.047kg/s that maximizes the SMER of the HPCD

and the optimal airflow is related to the drum power and the clothes dryer airflow resistance characteristic; And according to methods for measuring the performance of tumble dryers for household use

through testing

it was verified that the theoretical analysis results were consistent with the experimental tests. The research method and conclusion can provide theoretical guidance for the design and optimization of HPCD.