Experimental study of vortex tube energy separation under different tube design

• Published in: Experimental thermal and fluid science 2018-02, Vol.91, p.306-311
• Main Authors: Hamdan, Mohammad O., Al-Omari, Salah-A.B., Oweimer, Ali S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Choked flow; Energy; Gas separation; Inlet pressure; Nozzles; Numerical analysis; Pressure; Pressure effects; Ranque-Hilsch tube; Secondary circulation; Separation; Tapering; Temperature; Vortex tube geometry; Vortex tube performance; Vortices
• ISSN: 0894-1777; 1879-2286
• DOI: 10.1016/j.expthermflusci.2017.10.034

•Experimental results show the Ranque-Hilsch tube size effect on energy separation.•The study focus on vortex tube length, diameter and internal tapering angle.•The optimum vortex diameter and length depend on operating conditions.•The inlet pressure has non-monotonic relation with energy separation.•Energy separation decreases once inlet nozzles flow reaches choked condition. Through experimental investigation, this study offers a closer look into the performance of the vortex tube energy separation under different geometrical parameters; mainly tube length, diameter and internal tapering angle. Also the study evaluates the effect of inlet pressure on the performance of the vortex. The data shows that the tested vortex tube has an optimum length between 66 mm and 158 mm, an optimum diameter between 9 mm and 26 mm and a tapering angle smaller than 4°. Finally the experimental data show that the higher the inlet pressure, the greater the temperature difference however there is a maximum value where performance starts to deteriorate due to inlet nozzle choking.