Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A study on the optimization of the angle of curvature for a Ranque–Hilsch vortex tube, using both experimental and full Reynolds stress turbulence numerical modelling

  • Original
  • Published:
Heat and Mass Transfer Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The working tube is a main part of vortex tube which the compressed fluid is injected into this part tangentially. An appropriate design of working tube geometry leads to better efficiency and performance of vortex tube. In the experimental investigation, the parameters are focused on the working tube angle, inlet pressure and number of nozzles. The effect of the working tube angle is investigated in the range of θ = 0–120°. The experimental tests show that we have an optimum model between θ = 0 and θ = 20°. The most objective of this investigation is the demonstration of the successful use of CFD in order to develop a design tool that can be utilized with confidence over a range of operating conditions and geometries, thereby providing a powerful tool that can be used to optimize vortex tube design as well as assess its utility in the field of new applications and industries. A computational fluid dynamics model was employed to predict the performances of the air flow inside the vortex tube. The numerical investigation was done by full 3D steady state CFD-simulation using FLUENT6.3.26. This model utilizes the Reynolds stress model to solve the flow equations. Experiments were also conducted to validate results obtained for the numerical simulation. First purpose of numerical study in this case was validation with experimental data to confirm these results and the second was the optimization of experimental model to achieve the highest efficiency.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

D :

Diameter of vortex tube (mm)

k :

Turbulence kinetic energy (m2 s−2)

L :

Length of vortex tube (mm)

r :

Radial distance from the centerline (mm)

T :

Temperature (K)

Ti :

Inlet gas temperature (K)

Z :

Axial length from nozzle cross section (mm)

L:

Length (m)

dc:

Diameter of cold orifice (m)

\(\dot{m}\) :

Mass flow rate (kg s−1)

R*:

The radius of vortex-chamber

S:

The width of a nozzle

r*:

Truncated cone radius (m)

G:

Truncated ratio

ΔΤ :

Temperature difference (K)

α :

Cold mass fraction

Ɵ :

Cone angle

ε :

Turbulence dissipation rate (m2 s−3)

ρ :

Density (kg m–3)

σ :

Stress (N m–2)

μ :

Dynamic viscosity (kg m−1 s−1)

μ t :

Turbulent viscosity (kg m−1 s−1)

τ :

Shear stress (N m−2)

τ ij :

Stress tensor components

RWT :

The radius of working tube

RC :

The radius of cold orifice

V:

Velocity of flow

in:

Inlet

c:

Cold

h:

Hot

t:

Total

References

  1. Ranque GJ (1933) Experiments on expansion in a vortex with simultaneous exhaust of hot air and cold air. Le J. de Physique et le Radium 4:112–114

    Google Scholar 

  2. Ranque GJ (1934) Method and apparatus for obtaining from a fluid under pressure two outputs of fluid at different temperatures. US Pat 1(952):281

    Google Scholar 

  3. Hilsch R (1947) The use of expansion of gases in a centrifugal field as a cooling process. Rev Sci Instrum 18:108–113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Valipour MS, Niazi N (2011) Experimental modeling of a curved Ranque–Hilsch vortex tube refrigerator. Int J Refrig 34:1109–1116

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Dincer K (2011) Experimental investigation of the effects of threefold type Ranque–Hilsch vortex tube and six cascade type Ranque–Hilsch vortex tube on the performance of counter flow Ranque–Hilsch vortex tubes. Int J Refrig 34(6):1366–1371

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Xue Y, Arjomandi M, Kelso R (2012) Experimental study of the flow structure in a counter flow Ranque–Hilsch vortex tube. Int J Heat Mass Transf 55(21–22):5853–5860

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Im SY, Yu SS (2012) Effects of geometric parameters on the separated air flow temperature of a vortex tube for design optimization. Energy 37(1):154–160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Mohammadi S, Farhadi F (2013) Experimental analysis of a Ranque–Hilsch vortex tube for optimizing nozzle numbers and diameter. Appl Therm Eng 61(2):500–506

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Rafiee SE, Rahimi M (2013) Experimental study and three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis on the effect of the convergence ratio, pressure inlet and number of nozzle intake on vortex tube performance-Validation and CFD optimization. Energy. doi:10.1016/j.energy.2013.09.060

    Google Scholar 

  10. Saidi MH, Yazdi MRA (1999) Exergy model of a vortex tube system with experimental results. Energy 24:625–632

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Secchiaroli A, Ricci R, Montelpare S, D’Alessandro V (2009) Numerical simulation of turbulent flow in a Ranque–Hilsch vortex tube. Int J Heat Mass Transf 52:5496–5511

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  12. Shamsoddini R, Nezhad AH (2010) Numerical analysis of the effects of nozzles number on the flow and power of cooling of a vortex tube. Int J Refrig 33:774–782

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Pinar AM, Uluer O, Kırmaci V (2009) Optimization of counter flow Ranque–Hilsch vortex tube performance using Taguchi method. Int J Refrig 32:1487–1494

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Chang K, Li Q, Zhou G, Li Q (2011) Experimental investigation of vortex tube refrigerator with a divergent hot tube. Int J Refrig 34:322–327

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Stephan K, Lin S, Durst M, Seher F, Huang D (1983) An investigation of energy separation in a vortex tube.Int. J Heat Mass Transf 26(3):341–348

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Dincer K, Baskaya S, Uysal BZ (2008) Experimental investigation of the effects of length to diameter ratio and nozzle number on the performance of counter flow Ranque–Hilsch vortex tubes. Heat Mass Transf 44:367–373

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Akhesmeh S, Pourmahmoud N, Sedgi H (2008) Numerical study of the temperature separation in the Ranque–Hilsch vortex tube. Am J Eng Appl Sci 3:181–187

    Google Scholar 

  18. Gibson MM, Launder BE (1978) Ground effects on pressure fluctuations in the atmospheric boundary layer. J Fluid Mech 86:491–511

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  19. Launder BE (1989) Second-moment closure: present… and Future? Int J Heat Fluid Flow 10(4):282–300

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Launder BE, Reece GJ, Rodi W (1975) Progress in the development of a Reynolds-stress turbulence closure. J Fluid Mech 68(3):537–566

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  21. Yilmaz M, Kaya M, Karagoz S, Erdogan S (2009) A review on design criteria for vortex tubes. Heat Mass Transf 45:613–632

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Gutsol AF (1997) The Ranque effect. Phys Uspekhi 40:639–658

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Urmia University of Technology, Urmia, Iran

    Seyed Ehsan Rafiee & M. M. Sadeghiazad

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Razi University of Kermanshah, Kermanshah, Iran

    Sabah Ayenehpour

Authors
  1. Seyed Ehsan Rafiee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sabah Ayenehpour
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. M. Sadeghiazad
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Seyed Ehsan Rafiee.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Rafiee, S.E., Ayenehpour, S. & Sadeghiazad, M.M. A study on the optimization of the angle of curvature for a Ranque–Hilsch vortex tube, using both experimental and full Reynolds stress turbulence numerical modelling. Heat Mass Transfer 52, 337–350 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00231-015-1562-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00231-015-1562-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation