The heat recovery module in commercial dishwashers
13 February 2017 -
Heat recovery system: How to take the steam out of professional kitchen
The heat recovery module, also known as a heat exchanger, steam & heat condensing unit or heat recovery system, is a system capable of condensing the steam produced by a dishwasher during the washing cycle. Through the condensation process, steam is being eliminated, energy consumption is reduced and environmental and working conditions are being improved, providing top-class air quality.
This module is a steam condenser that uses the heat and steam generated during the washing and rinsing cycle to preheat the machine’s supply water. It can be installed on the T1515 hood-type dishwasher model and is already present in the T1215 Energy+ hood. The main reason why the heat recovery system is increasingly used in professional kitchens, and more generally in the commercial side of the food industry, is because of its great efficiency in preventing heat and steam emissions within the kitchen itself.
How and why to recover steam and heat
produced by the dishwasher
Recovering as much energy as possible is vital for any business.
At the end of the rinsing phase, the water temperature is around 80°C. This temperature has the great advantage of being able to deeply sanitise dishes and tableware but the disadvantage of producing a lot of steam that is released into the environment once the dishwasher door is opened.
This steam, if not extracted, releases moisture into the environment, increases the temperature in the room, encourages the proliferation of mold and generally creates unhealthy working areas for those who have to work there.
Wasting heat by opening the dishwasher door means wasting energy. t is therefore important to optimize the steam coming out, condensing it so as to lower the air temperature. The heat absorbed is recovered by the system and used to heat the cold water that supplies the dishwasher.
In the rinsing phase, the recovered energy will have been used to increase the temperature of the water, thus decreasing the energy required to raise it to about 80°C and carry out proper sanitisation.
An ideal solution for businesses such as bars, restaurants, pizzerias, with windowless or small kitchens where it is not possible to install a professional hood or extraction system.
The advantages of the heat recovery system
in commercial dishwashers
Energy saving
The module, when combined with the dishwasher, draws in the steam generated after rinsing and condenses it. The recovered heat increases the temperature of the incoming water to 25°C, making it faster and less energy-intensive to achieve the 80°C temperature required in the rinsing phase, which takes 2.7 litres of water per cycle, saving 0.05 kWh per cycle, i.e. approximately 6 kWh per day.
Healthier working environment
strong Promotes a healthier working environment as well as significant energy savings through a 30%* reduction in the heat gradient generated by the boiler containing the rinse water. Provides greater comfort for the end user: the puff of saturated steam when opening the dishwasher is eliminated.
Saving money
The use of this system also eliminates the need to install an external extractor hood. The impact of steam is significantly reduced.
Easy maintenance
strong As there are no filters, mechanical or electronic parts, almost no maintenance is required.
Easy to use
The entire process, which is fully automatic, takes just 30″.
Faster dish drying
Dishes and crockery dry faster, reducing drying time by 40% to 50%.
Improved washing quality
Coupling the heat exchanger with a good rinse aid and detergent minimises drips and stains on dishes and crockery at the end of the washing cycle.
The heat recovery module is available as standard or as an option in the hood-type models and in the S200and S350 pot and instrument washer.
* Values strictly related to environmental conditions (room temperature, kitchen size, relative humidity).
Contact us to learn more about our ideal solutions to eliminate steam and recover heat from your dishwasher. We will be happy to help you.
Sistema Project Italia staff