Abstract
This paper aims to improve the energy separation performance of vortex tube with a converging–diverging design of the hot tube. Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamic simulations are conducted to explore energy separation in a straight vortex tube (SVT) and in convergent-divergent vortex tubes (CDVT) with variations in throat diameter, throat position, inlet pressure, and working gas. Detail analysis of flow and temperature distributions reveal that flow is accelerated in the converging part of CDVT, which increases the transfer of shear work from the axial region to the peripheral region of CDVT compared to SVT, thereby producing significantly higher cold temperature separation in CDVT compared to SVT. CDVT with non-dimensional throat diameter of 0.40 is observed to produce the maximum value of cold temperature separation, which is up to 9 K (∼35 %) higher than the same obtained with SVT. Coefficient of performance of cooling obtained with this CDVT is found to be up to ∼ 30 % higher compared to SVT. When CDVT is operated with helium, ΔTc is found to have mean increment of 20 K (56 %) compared to SVT being operated with air. Overall, CDVT having non-dimensional throat diameter of 0.40, throat position in the middle of the hot tube, and operating with helium is recommended for obtaining maximum temperature separation performance in a wide range of cold mass fraction.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
