The modeling and measurement of the release, production, and retention of cloth fibers in a top-loading washing machine

A new lint measurement technique has been developed to measure instantaneous lint concentrations which occur in a top-loading washing machine during agitation. The technique, which is based on the transmittance of light through a water sample, provides quick and accurate measurements. Using information revealed through these measurements, a mathematical model was developed to describe the physics of the processes which cause lint to be suspended. Using this new lint measurement technique and the mathematical model an experimental study was completed. The focus of this study was to determine the effect of agitator operating conditions (stroke length and oscillation frequency) on the suspension of cloth fibers (lint). Knowledge gained from this study verified the lint model and provided the groundwork for several new relationships which pertain to the release, production and retention of lint.