Method for detecting volatile, flammable substances in a dryer and a dryer suitable for this purpose

1 . A method for detecting a volatile, flammable substance during drying of moist textiles in a dryer with a drum for receiving the textiles, the method comprising:

irradiating the textiles or their environment with infrared radiation;

receiving infrared radiation from the textiles or their environment in a wavelength range of 600 to 4000 cm-1; and

evaluating the received infrared radiation.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein an evaluation circuit performs said evaluating.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said evaluating determines the presence of alcohols, ethers, carbonic acids, or esters from a wavelength range of 1080 to 1300 cm-1.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said evaluating determines the presence of alkanes from a wavelength range of 1350 to 1470 cm-1 and 2850 to 2960 cm-1.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said evaluating determines the presence of aldehydes, ketones, carbonic acids, or esters from a wavelength range of 1690 to 1760 cm-1.

6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining whether a concentration of a volatile, flammable substance exceeds a threshold; and

issuing an audible or visual signal if it is determined that a concentration of a volatile, flammable substance exceeds a threshold.

7 . A dryer, comprising:

a drum for receiving moist textiles;

a transmitter that irradiates the textiles or their environment with infrared radiation with radiation having a wavelength range of 600 to 4000 cm-1;

a receiver that receives infrared radiation reflected from the textiles or a wall of the drum; and

an evaluator that evaluates the infrared radiation received by the receiver to determine whether a volatile, flammable substance is present.