vortex tube manufacturing

[bwilson6561]

Hello. In one application I'm designing, a vortex tube with a very small air flow rate is required. (Flow rate around 25 cm^3/sec)

Commercial vortex tube have flow rate much higher than this. I'm trying to build a prototype and would like to make my own vortex tube.

Can anyone give me some advice on the best way to do this? How much would the tooling cost?

Is it possible for a current vortex tube manufacturer to custome design one and make one for me? I have a feeling it would be very expensive. Right?

Any pointers would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[MikeHalloran]

Why don't you buy one and dissect it?

They are ridiculously simple in construction.

They're also ridiculously inefficient.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[bwilson6561]

Thanks, can they be molded out of plastic?

I will buy one and dissect it. In the meantime, do you know what parameter determines the output air flow rate? (for a given PSI of compressed air)

I talked to a vortex tube manufacturer and they told me it cost $60 to make a small aluminum one. I have a feeling mass produced, the price will be much lower. What do you think?

Thanks

 

[MikeHalloran]

You'll need a heat resistant plastic. They're either expensive or brittle. The hot end can get pretty hot.

The output air flow rate is determined partially by the temperature. If you want cold air out, most of the air has to go out the hot end.

Yeah, it could cost %60 to make a small metal vortex tube, probably in a lot of ten or so. Making just one would cost more.

But you need to get one in your hands and actually use it before deciding to use one in any size. Don't misunderstand; for some applications, they're terrific, but they're not magic, and they have some serious disadvantages, e.g. noise and wasted expensive energy.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[hacksaw]

a confined jet (25 cm3/s) of air will probably accomplish as much cooling as you are likely to get from a miniture vortex tube.

what temperature and heat load are you trying to achieve?

 

[bwilson6561]

I'm trying to achieve 0 F.

Is air flow rate directly proportional to the physical size of the vortex tube?

I wish I can get a "plan" for a vortex tube that can fulfill my requirement so I can send it to a machine shop and make a prototype. Unfortunately I don't know anything about vortex tube engineering.

For my application, vortex tube is the best. It needs to be portable.

Thanks

 

[MikeHalloran]

Does the air compressor also need to be portable?



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[bwilson6561]

It's a very small flow rate application and is to be powered by a portable air tank.

 

[MikeHalloran]

You _really_ need to get or build one to screw around with before you get in deeper peanut butter.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[EdStainless]

If you need 0F on a point location I only see a couple of options.
1. Buy a vortex tube. They will promise that it will work. They are not complex, but they do have to be built just so. You know that you get your 1.5 lpm of cold air you will need 4-5 times that total flow.
2. Use a thermoelectric cooler to chill your air and blow it straight on the spot. Use a nice large radiator and fan to cool the hot side of the TEC and blow that air the other direction.
3. this depends on how portable it needs to be. Why not us a small liquid nitrogen bottle? Refill it each morning. An 8 hour supply at 1.5 lpm of gas is about 1 l of liquid.

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