Condensation dryer comprising a heat pump and method for operating the same

1. A condensation dryer comprising:

a drying chamber, the drying chamber operable to retain articles to be dried;

a process air circuit, the process air circuit guiding process air along a path in which the process air is heated by a heater, moved across articles to be dried via a motive air source, guided through an air/air heat exchanger, and thereafter guided through a heat pump circuit formed of an evaporator, a compressor and a condenser, the heat pump circuit including a closed cooling agent circuit having a cooling agent circulating through the evaporator, the compressor, and the condenser; and

an additional heat exchanger being part of the closed cooling agent circuit of the heat pump circuit, the additional heat exchanger being operatively coupled with the air/air heat exchanger and operatively coupled with the cooling agent of the closed cooling agent circuit of the heat pump circuit at a location in the heat pump circuit between the condenser and the evaporator of the heat pump circuit such that the additional heat exchanger exchanges heat between the cooling agent and one of the process air of the process air circuit and a cooling air of a cooling air duct of the air/air heat exchanger,

wherein the additional heat exchanger is operatively coupled with the air/air heat exchanger at the cooling air duct of the air/air heat exchanger, and

wherein the additional heat exchanger is operatively coupled with the air/air heat exchanger at the cooling air duct of the air/air heat exchanger at a location between a cooling blower and the air/air heat exchanger.

2. The condensation dryer as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the cooling agent in the heat pump circuit is selected from the group which consists of a butane/isopropane mixture, carbon dioxide and a chlorofluorocarbon compound.

3. The condensation dryer as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the air/air heat exchanger is removable.

4. A condensation dryer comprising:

a drying chamber, the drying chamber operable to retain articles to be dried;

a process air circuit, the process air circuit guiding process air along a path in which the process air is heated by a heater, moved across articles to be dried via a motive air source, guided through an air/air heat exchanger, and thereafter guided through a heat pump circuit formed of an evaporator, a compressor and a condenser, the heat pump circuit including a closed cooling agent circuit having a cooling agent circulating through the evaporator, the compressor, and the condenser; and

an additional heat exchanger being part of the closed cooling agent circuit of the heat pump circuit, the additional heat exchanger being operatively coupled with the air/air heat exchanger and operatively coupled with the cooling agent of the closed cooling agent circuit of the heat pump circuit at a location in the heat pump circuit between the condenser and the evaporator of the heat pump circuit such that the additional heat exchanger exchanges heat between the cooling agent and one of the process air of the process air circuit and a cooling air of a cooling air duct of the air/air heat exchanger,

wherein the additional heat exchanger is operatively coupled with the air/air heat exchanger at the cooling air duct of the air/air heat exchanger, and

wherein the additional heat exchanger is operatively coupled with the air/air heat exchanger at the cooling air duct of the air/air heat exchanger on a side of the air/air heat exchanger facing away from a cooling blower.

5. The condensation dryer as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the cooling agent in the heat pump circuit is selected from the group which consists of a butane/isopropane mixture, carbon dioxide and a chlorofluorocarbon compound.

6. The condensation dryer as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the air/air heat exchanger is removable.

7. A condensation dryer comprising:

a drying chamber, the drying chamber operable to retain articles to be dried;

a process air circuit, the process air circuit guiding process air along a path in which the process air is heated by a heater, moved across articles to be dried via a motive air source, guided through an air/air heat exchanger, and thereafter guided through a heat pump circuit formed of an evaporator, a compressor and a condenser, the heat pump circuit including a closed cooling agent circuit having a cooling agent circulating through the evaporator, the compressor, and the condenser; and

an additional heat exchanger being part of the closed cooling agent circuit of the heat pump circuit, the additional heat exchanger being operatively coupled with the air/air heat exchanger and operatively coupled with the cooling agent of the closed cooling agent circuit of the heat pump circuit at a location in the heat pump circuit between the condenser and the evaporator of the heat pump circuit such that the additional heat exchanger exchanges heat between the cooling agent and one of the process air of the process air circuit and a cooling air of a cooling air duct of the air/air heat exchanger,

wherein the additional heat exchanger is operatively coupled with the air/air heat exchanger at the cooling air duct of the air/air heat exchanger, and

wherein the additional heat exchanger is operatively coupled with the air/air heat exchanger at the cooling air duct of the air/air heat exchanger on a side of a cooling blower facing away from the air/air heat exchanger.

8. The condensation dryer as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the cooling agent in the heat pump circuit is selected from the group which consists of a butane/isopropane mixture, carbon dioxide and a chlorofluorocarbon compound.

9. The condensation dryer as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the air/air heat exchanger is removable.