EXAIR has written many different articles about how Vortex Tubes work and the applications in which they are used. The idea of making cold air without any freon or moving parts is a phenomenon of physics that has been referred to by many names including Ranque Tube, Ranque-Hilsch Tube and Maxwell’s Demon. The modern name is Vortex Tube. It can generate cold air to a temperature as low as -50 oF (-46 oC) simply by spinning compressed air at high RPM. In this article, I will explain the adjustment of the Vortex Tube to get different temperatures and cooling effects with reference to the Cold Fraction.
To give a basic background on the EXAIR Vortex Tubes, we manufacture them in three different body sizes: small, medium, and large. These sizes can produce a range of cooling capacities, from 135 BTU/hr to 10,200 BTU/hr (34 Kcal/hr to 2,570 Kcal/hr). The unique design utilizes a generator inside each Vortex Tube. To read more about the type of generators, you can find this here: Maximum Effort!!! The Two Types of Vortex Tube Generators. The generator controls the amount of compressed air that can enter the Vortex Tube as well as initiating the spinning of the air inside. As an example, a medium-sized Vortex Tube, model 3240, will only allow 40 SCFM (1,133 SLPM) of compressed air to travel into the Vortex Tube at 100 PSIG (6.9 bar). While a small Vortex Tube, model 3208, will only allow 8 SCFM (227 SLPM) of compressed air at 100 PSIG (6.9 bar). EXAIR manufactures the most comprehensive range, from 2 SCFM (57 SLPM) to 150 SCFM (4,248 SLPM).
After the compressed air goes through the generator, the pressure will drop to slightly above atmospheric pressure. (This is the “engine” of how the Vortex Tube works.) The air will travel toward one end of the tube, where there is an air control valve, or Hot Air Exhaust Valve. This side of the Vortex Tube will blow hot air. This valve can be adjusted to increase or decrease the amount of air that leaves the hot end. The remaining portion of the air is redirected toward the opposite end of the Vortex Tube, called the cold end. By conservation of mass, the hot air and cold air flows will have to equal the inlet flow, as shown in Equation 1:
Equation 1:
Q = Qc + Qh
Q – Vortex Inlet Flow (SCFM/SLPM)
Qc – Cold Air Flow (SCFM/SLPM)
Qh – Hot Air Flow (SCFM/SLPM)
The percentage of inlet air flow that exits the cold end of a vortex tube is known as the Cold Fraction. As an example, if the Hot Air Exhaust Valve of the Vortex Tube is adjusted to allow only 20% of the air flow to escape from the hot end, then 80% of the air flow is redirected toward the cold end. EXAIR uses this ratio as the Cold Fraction; reference Equation 2:
Equation 2:
CF = Qc/Q * 100
CF = Cold Fraction (%)
Qc – Cold Air Flow (SCFM/SLPM)
Q – Vortex Inlet Flow (SCFM/SLPM)
EXAIR created a chart to show the temperature drop and rise relative to the incoming compressed air temperature. Across the top of the chart, we have the Cold Fraction, and along the side, we have the inlet air pressure. As you can see, the temperature changes as the Cold Fraction and inlet air pressure changes. As the percentage of the Cold Fraction becomes smaller, the cold air flow becomes colder, but the amount of cold air flow becomes less. You may notice that this chart is independent of the Vortex Tube size. So, no matter the size of the Vortex Tube that is used, the temperature drop and rise will follow the chart below.
How do you use this chart? As an example, we can select a model 3240 Vortex Tube. It will use 40 SCFM (1133 SLPM) of compressed air at 100 PSIG (6.9 Bar). We can determine the temperature and amount of air that will flow from the cold end and the hot end. For our scenario, we will set the inlet pressure to 100 PSIG, and adjust the Hot Exhaust Valve to allow for a 60% Cold Fraction. Let’s say the inlet compressed air temperature is 68oF. With Equation 2, we can rearrange the values to find the Cold Air Flow, Qc:
Qc = CF * Q
Qc = 0.60 * 40 SCFM = 24 SCFM of cold air flow
The temperature drop shown in the chart above is 86oF. If the inlet temperature is 68oF, the temperature of the cold air is (68oF – 86oF) = -18oF. So, at the cold end, we will have 24 SCFM of air at a temperature of -18oF. For the hot end, we can calculate the flow and temperature as well. From Equation 1,
Q = Qc + Qh or
Qh = Q – Qc
Qh = 40 SCFM – 24 SCFM = 16 SCFM
The temperature rise shown in the chart above is 119oF. So, with the inlet temperature at 68oF, we get (119oF + 68oF) = 187oF. So, we have 16 SCFM of air at a temperature of 187oF coming out of the hot end.
With the Cold Fraction and inlet air pressure, you can get specific temperatures for your application. For cooling and heating capacities, flow and temperature can be used to calculate the correct Vortex Tube size for your application. If you need help determining the proper Vortex Tube to best support your application, you can contact an Application Engineer at EXAIR. We will be glad to help.
John Ball
Application Engineer
Email: johnball@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_jb