Samsung’s Advanced Dryer Technology Selected for U.S. DOE Support

Samsung continues to research new technologies to improve day-to-day home appliances. The company’s research on next-generation clothes drying technology has now been selected for official support by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The project aims to develop a high-performance dryer while using significantly less energy.

Samsung’s next-generation dryer technology works on 120V

The DOE’s support for the advanced drying technology project shows its eagerness to improve energy efficiency in household appliances. Samsung’s research focuses on an “Advanced Desiccant Clothes Dryer with a Heat Recovery System.” For this, the Korean firm is collaborating with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of South Carolina.

The technology uses a desiccant, a highly efficient dehumidifying material, in clothes dryers to maintain consistent drying performance. However, the goal is to reduce energy consumption by up to 35% compared to a vent-type dryer (hot-air exhaust dryer). A vented dryer dries clothes quickly by discharging moist air outdoors. The main problem is that it is relatively inefficient and requires a 240V power connection. Moreover, it limits installation options in many homes because exhaust air is sent outdoors.

Samsung’s next-generation drying technology (when commercialized) will allow the company to build dryers that operate on 120V power. More importantly, the dryers won’t require separate construction to connect the pipes to the outside. This makes it a perfect solution for different living spaces, including small apartments and multi-family homes, where installation space and construction options are often limited.

The project will receive $1.2 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy over the next two years. Samsung and its research partners will also contribute $1.2 million, bringing the total budget to $2.4 million. The Korean firm plans to apply the technology to a bunch of product lines, including dryers and integrated washer-dryers. Meanwhile, Samsung launched a “Help Me Choose” online tool to help consumers choose the right washing machine as per their needs.