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3D Velocimetry and droplet sizing in the Ranque–Hilsch vortex tube

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Abstract

The Ranque–Hilsch vortex tube (RHVT) is a device currently used to generate local cooling. In general, the fluid that is injected into the RHVT is a single-phase gas. In this study, however, we have added a dispersed phase (water droplets) to the gas (nitrogen). By means of phase Doppler particle analysis, three velocity components, their higher order moments, and sizes of droplets were measured, showing high intensity velocity fluctuations in the core region of the main vortex. The frequency spectrum of the velocity is presented and reveals that wobbling of the vortex axis is the cause of the high intensity fluctuations. The wobbling motion reduces the influence of the droplet size on the radial droplet velocity.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank R. Hagmeijer for his useful comments regarding vortex wobbling and H.B.M. Manders and J.M. van der Veen for their technical support. This research is supported by the Dutch Technology Foundation STW, which is the applied science division of NWO, and the Technology Programme of the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Physics, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

    R. Liew & J. C. H. Zeegers

  2. Faculty EEMCS, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE, Enschede, The Netherlands

    J. G. M. Kuerten

  3. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

    J. G. M. Kuerten & W. R. Michałek

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  1. R. Liew
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  2. J. C. H. Zeegers
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  3. J. G. M. Kuerten
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  4. W. R. Michałek
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Correspondence to R. Liew.

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Liew, R., Zeegers, J.C.H., Kuerten, J.G.M. et al. 3D Velocimetry and droplet sizing in the Ranque–Hilsch vortex tube. Exp Fluids 54, 1416 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-012-1416-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-012-1416-z

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