Investigation of counterflow divergent vortex tube characteristics

Vortex tubes are simple devices, which splits compressed gas stream into one of the cold and the other hot stream without any chemical effect or heat transfer. A large part of the experimental studies on vortex tubes is performed by using a cylindrical vortex tubes, the number of studies using conical vortex tubes are very limited. In this study, the effects of the divergence angle(ß=0÷6º), input pressure (Pi=2÷5 bar), length to diameter ratio (L/D=6÷12), placement of the plug (TK=L-5÷L+10) on the performance of the vortex tube investigated by used a helical vortex generator suggested by the literature. Performances of the conical and cylindirical vortex tubes are compared, taking into account change of the differences between vortex tube inlet temperature and hot and cold outlet temperature. As a result of the work, performance of the vortex tubes increased up to a critical divergence angle and decreased thereafter. According to the findings optimum divergence angle has been identified as 2º. Position of the plug is parameter that is determined with the minimal impact on the performance of the vortex tube within the parameters. Key Words: Energy separation, Divergent vortex tube, Vortex tube, Vortex generator