Samsung dryer technology research selected for U.S. DOE funding

Samsung Electronics’ research into next-generation clothes-drying technology has been selected for official support by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

Samsung will conduct research on an “Advanced Desiccant Clothes Dryer with a Heat Recovery System,” with the goal of developing a next-generation dryer that combines high energy efficiency with powerful drying performance.

The company will collaborate on the research with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the largest national laboratory in the United States, and the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of South Carolina.

The project aims to develop technology that applies desiccants, highly efficient moisture-absorbing materials, to clothes dryers, significantly reducing energy use while maintaining drying performance.

The goal is to cut electricity use during drying to 35% of that required by vented dryers while delivering comparable drying performance.

Vented dryers are in high demand in North America. They dry clothes quickly by immediately expelling humid air outdoors.

However, their relatively low efficiency makes them difficult to use with the standard 120-volt power supply in the United States, requiring separate 240-volt electrical work.

They also require ductwork to vent air outside.

If Samsung’s next-generation drying technology is commercialized, it will enable the development of powerful dryers that can run on 120-volt power and do not require separate work to install an outdoor vent.

By easing installation constraints, next-generation dryers that offer powerful performance and high energy efficiency could be used in a range of homes, including multifamily housing and small apartments.

Over the next two years, Samsung, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the University of South Carolina will receive $1.2 million from the U.S. Department of Energy and contribute an additional $1.2 million, bringing the total research budget to $2.4 million.

Samsung plans to apply the findings from this dryer-solution research to a range of future products, including dryers and all-in-one washer-dryers.

Moon Jong-seung, executive vice president of Samsung Electronics’ DA Business, said, “This research project is a practical opportunity to turn innovative energy-saving technology into value that consumers can experience firsthand. Our goal is to expand the range of home appliances that support sustainable living through collaboration with global research institutions.”