Effect of secondary swirl in supersonic gas and plasma flows in the self-vacuuming vortex tube

Abstract

This article presents the results of simulation for a special type of vortex tubes -self-vacuuming vortex tube (SVVT), for which extreme values of temperature separation and vacuum are realized. The main results of this study are the flow structure in the SVVT and energy loss estimations on oblique shock waves, gas friction, instant expansion and organization of vortex bundles in SVVT. Keywords: self-vacuuming vortex tube, supersonic swirling gas flows, oblique shock wave, rotating cord. Nomenclature t -time,-Cartesian coordinates, -Reynolds-averaged components of instantaneous velocity vector in the Cartesian coordinate system, -pulsation components of instantaneous velocity vector in the Cartesian coordinate system, -density, p -pressure, h t -total enthalpy, T -temperature, λcoefficient of thermal conductivity, C p -specific heat capacity at constant pressure, µ -dynamic viscosity, -components of turbulent stress tensor, k -specific turbulent kinetic energy, ωspecific rate of dissipation of k, P * -total (stagnation) pressure, T * -total (stagnation) temperature.

Numerical Investigation of the Secondary Swirling in Supersonic Flows of Various Nature Gases

“…As is known, ANSYS CFX is based on the pressure-based solver. According to the presented methodology [32], this paper also uses a pressure-based solver to solve the problems. Previous papers [33,34] devoted to this study used the commercial CFD package ANSYS CFX.…”

“…As is known, ANSYS CFX is based on the pressure-based solver. According to the presented methodology [32], this paper also uses a pressure-based solver to solve the problems.…”

“…One of the main conclusions was the significant decrease in cooling power due to the decrease in inlet temperature. Other research [32] presented numerical results for selfvacuuming tubes (SVT) with helium. Obtained results showed that main power losses occur due to shocks and secondary swirl generation.…”