Cooling capacity of vortex tubes by changing different characteristics

Abstract

The improvement of the efficiency and cooling capacity of a simple vortex tube is considered. Three Ranque-Hilsch Vortex tubes, with different diameters and lengths, were developed and manufactured. The vortex tube is an unique device with no working parts and has the ability to deliver hot and cold air simultaneously. It is a simple, low cost device, which is easy to manufacture. Different orifice sizes and nozzle configurations are designed and manufactured to investigate the performance of the three vortex tubes. The f 22 mm vortex tube with a f 7, 5 mm orifice and small diameter nozzle gave a better efficiency and an increase in the drop in temperature of the cold air against the different inlet pressures. The maximum efficiency of the f 22 mm diameter vortex tube improved from 8, 9% against a cold fraction of 0, 630 (with the f 6 mm x 2 tangential nozzle block) to 18, 92% against a cold fraction of 0, 644 (with the f 3 mm x 4 tangential nozzle block) at an inlet pressure of 500 kPa. The maximum drop in temperature of the cold air improved from 27, 0 oC against a cold fraction of 0, 120 (with the f 6 mm x 2 tangential nozzle block) to 42, 3 oC against a cold fraction of 0, 284 (with the f 4 mm x 2 tangential nozzle block) at an inlet pressure of 600 kPa.