Investigation on the Vortex Thermal Separation in a Vortex Tube Refrigerator

Pongjet Promvonge* and Smith Eiamsa-ard

ABSTRACT: This paper describes the experimental study of the temperature separation phenomenon in a counter-flow type vortex tube. Effects of (1) the number of inlet tangential nozzles, (2) the cold orifice diameter, and (3) tube insulations on the temperature reduction and isentropic efficiency of the tube were experimentally investigated. The temperature drops of the cold air obtained from these tests were in good agreement with available data for comparison at a similar scale of operating conditions. The experimental results showed that the insulated vortex tube with 4 inlet nozzles and cold orifice diameter of 0.5D yielded the highest temperature reduction (temperature separation) and isentropic efficiency at about 30 ^oC and 33% respectively.

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Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, Thailand.

* Corresponding author, E-mail: kppongje@kmitl.ac.th

Received 20 Sep 2004, Accepted 18 Apr 2005