Difference Between Axial Airflow and Radial Airflow for Dryers

So as a laundry owner have you ever been confused by talk from equipment salespeople when they talk about radial versus axial airflow? They make both sound fantastic but what do the terms mean?

In this example I'm strictly talking in context to laundromat dryers.
What is the better method to dry clothes?
Both are fine.
There are situations when one should be selected over the other. Venting and where your main makeup air is coming from might make a difference.

Axial Dryers

 
Maytag MLG33 dryers are
an example of axial airflow dryers

Axial dryers are called that because the blades of the fan push the air straight from the back of the dryer forward, as if there was an axis or axle that extended straight from the back of the dryer to the front of the dryer. A good example of this might be a box fan that you use to circulate air in a hot room. The air gets "sucked" into the back of the fan and blown straight out of the front.

One way to tell an axial dryer is usually the inside of the baskets are more smooth and not as full of holes. There might not be a few, but not many.
The air is meant to be "blown" inside the basket where the constant motion should dry the clothes fall through the air stream. Think about holding a hair dryer in one spot and moving your head back and forth through the air to dry your hair. 

An advantage of an axial airflow dryer is that they are more energy efficient as long as there is plenty of room for the clothes to tumble. The air stays inside the dryer to constantly dry the clothes. Once they get too stuffed then the air can't circulate as well and the clothes need more time to dry. 

Radial Fans

Maytag MLG32 dryers are examples of radial airflow dryers

A radial fan dryer generally pulls air into the dryer from the top or side vent. The air moves around the basket getting inside the basket to dry the clothes through a bunch of small holes in the basket.

Go back to the hair dryer. This time your head stays still, but move the hair dryer all around your head to dry your hair. In the radial fan laundromat dryer, the air moves all around to get at the clothes. A lot of "blower fans" like you would use to dry out a wet wall or floor are usually radial airflow.

Laundromat dryers have traditionally been radial airflow. The entire basket is heated and the air is moved in a circular pattern through the clothes as they tumble through the heated air. Tis disadvantage is a lot of heat is lost out of the exhaust vents and through the glass in the door.
The advantage is there is usually more air in a dryer that is more full compared to an axial dryer with the same amount of clothes.

Dryers have traditionally utilized a radial airflow pattern, in which the entire cylinder is heated and garments, towels and linens tumble through the heated air. It's been an effective drying method for decades, but as Regan explains, "with radial, a lot of that hot air will go straight out the stack without actually passing through the load."

I hope that helps!

Ev

A Heck of A a Nice Guy