Review of Scientific Instruments · 1947 · 506 citations · 0 references
EngineeringMechanical EngineeringAerodynamicsAir ConditioningHeat TransferCooling SystemsVortex DynamicsAtmospheric PressureCooling Passage DesignCooling System DesignInlet DesignVortex Flow
The paper presents a design for a vortex tube that efficiently produces cold air by expanding gas in a centrifugal field. The design uses low‑pressure gas (2–11 atm) entering a tube to generate two streams—hot and cold—at near‑atmospheric pressure, with key construction and operating variables discussed and data presented for multiple tubes. The cold stream can be up to 68 °C below the inlet temperature, and the paper discusses the resulting efficiencies and potential applications.
The design of a vortex tube of good efficiency in which the expansion of a gas in a centrifugal field produces cold is described. The important variables in construction and operation are discussed and data for several tubes under various operating conditions are given. Low pressure gas, 2 to 11 atmospheres, enters the tube and two streams of air, one hot and the other cold, emerge at nearly atmospheric pressure. The cold stream may be as much as 68°C below inlet temperatures. Efficiencies and applications are discussed.