A vortex tube often seems like magic when first described but really it’s just a simple application of the laws of thermodynamics. Compressed air is injected into a shaped chamber as the air expands the chamber induces it to swirl very rapidly forming a vortex. The centrifugal forces in this this rapidly swirling air cause the lighter hot air and the more dense cooler air to separate in a similar manner to the way a centrifugal separator works.
Due to the way the vortex tube chamber is shaped the separated hot air stream from the vortex is moved in one direction and the cool air is moved in the other. The result is a hot air being exhausted and a much cooler air stream coming out the other end. The temperature differential can be very large with ambient temperature compressed air generating a hot air of 120 degree C and cool air of minus 50 degrees. This large differential is generated just from the motion of the air through the vortex generator. Essential what is happening is work is being done by the expanding air to produce a heat gradient – there is no magic just solid physics!
The devices listed here all operate with vortex tube technology and represent a variety of ways to bring this cooling power to various parts of the factory or industrial environment. One huge advantage of Vortex cooling is that it requires no power other than the air-line meaning it can often be deployed in situation where other forms of cooling cannot.
Applications
- Cooling electronic controls
- Cooling machining operations
- Cooling CCTV cameras
- Setting hot melts
- Cooling soldered parts
- Cooling gas samples
- Electronic component cooling
- Cooling heat seals
- Cooling environmental chambers
Advantages
- No moving parts
- No electricity or chemicals
- Small, lightweight
- Low cost
- Maintenance free
- Instant cold air
- Durable – stainless steel
- Adjustable temperature
- Interchangeable generators
Vortex Tube Styles
EXAIR Products Using Vortex Tubes
Over the years, the basic vortex tube has been used in virtually hundreds of industrial cooling applications. A few have become so popular as to warrant the development of an “applied product” designed to suit the specific application. These products include the Adjustable Spot Cooler, Mini Cooler, Cold Gun and Cabinet Coolers.
High Temperatures
High temperature vortex tubes for ambient temperatures up to 200°F (93°C) are available. Standard vortex tubes are for ambient temperatures up to 125°F (52°C). Contact an Application Engineer at 1-800-903-9247 for more details.
Preset Vortex Tubes
EXAIR can provide vortex tubes preset to any combination of flow and temperature desired. To prevent tampering with the desired setting, a drilled orifice that replaces the adjustable hot valve is available. For more information, please contact an Application Engineer.
Selecting the Right Vortex Tube
EXAIR Vortex Tubes are available in three sizes. Each size can produce a number of flow rates, as determined by a small internal part called a generator. If Btu/hr. (Watts) requirements, or flow and temperature requirements are known, simply select the appropriate vortex tube according to the specification information on the Specifications table or the Performance charts shown in SPECIFICATIONS above.
Keep in mind that the vortex generators are interchangeable. If, for example, a Model 3215 Vortex Tube does not provide sufficient cooling, you need only change generators within the vortex tube to upgrade the flow rate from 15 to 25, 30 or 40 SCFM (425 to 708, 850 or 1,133 SLPM).
