The Ranque-Hilsch Vortex Tube

Experimental study of the energy separation in a vortex tube

“…Since the static temperature of the return flow is higher than that of the air on the periphery, the heat is transferred to the peripheral part from the center, which is likely to cause the temperature separation inside the vortex tube. This is differ from the results of many studies while is consistent with the experimental work by Scheller and Brown (1957), they used the temperature probe and got the static and stagnation temperature distribution along hot tube. Behera et al (2008) developed a three-dimensional numerical model and conducted numerical investigations, they also believed that for the fluid particles moving from the stagnation point towards the cold end exit, there is significant drop in static and total temperatures due to the energy transfer to peripheral particles.…”

Issues and prospects of energy separation in vortex tubes: Review

“…Gutsol modeled the fluid flow as a solid body rotation assuming the forced vortex () and free vortex (, that is, Rankine vortex (combined free and forced vortex). Scheller and Brown supported Ranque's hypothesis but also commented that this complex flow phenomenon appears to be the result of more than one mechanism and requires more evidence. Scheller observed radial pressure difference as 9.6 kPa and radial temperature difference as 34K.…”

“…Figure indicates the changes in velocity along the radius, that is, radial gradient of velocity inside the tube, and shows the forced and free vortices. The theoretical and experimental work by these researchers has shown existence of the free and forced vortex in the tube. However, Sibulkin has denied the forced vortex based on the radially outward flow direction, which is supposed to be toward the center.…”

Review of Ranque–Hilsch vortex tube experiments using air

“…Soni [15,16] derived an empirical relation between the cold temperature drop and independent design parameters by using a regression analysis with the help of large number of test runs. Scheper [17], Hartnett and Eckert [18], Scheller and Brown [19], Lay [20,21], Vennos [22], Bruun [23], Linderstrøm-Lang [24], Ahlborn et al [25][26][27][28][29], Gao [30], and Aljuwayhel et al [31] analyzed the performance of the vortex tube by studying the temperature and/or velocity distributions in the vortex chamber. The model of Ahlborn et al [25] predicts that the inlet velocity reaches the speed of sound for X¼0.7.…”