This video illustrates some of the things to keep in mind when using vortex tubes in industrial applications.
Video url : https://youtu.be/3OIjke1lcwo
Welcome to EZ Engineering! Today, we will continue discussing the vortex tube and show you how it is typically used in an industrial environment.
If you recall from a previous session, the cooling rate is optimized when 60 to 80 percent of the cold air comes out the cold side. This is useful if you’re using it to produce cold temperatures. On the other hand, if you need very cold temperatures like minus 20, minus 30, or even minus 40 degrees Celsius, the flow will be much lower. However, you will achieve the cool temperatures you need. Typically, most applications involve temperatures around 0 to plus 5 degrees Celsius.
Here, I have a medium-sized vortex tube, which is a standard size on the market. Other standard sizes include smaller and larger ones. If you’re using a vortex tube in open air, like this or with a hose directed onto a surface, a medium-sized vortex tube will cool about 5 square centimeters. The smaller sizes will cool about 3 square centimeters, while the largest size covers about 7 square centimeters. For very large areas, you might need multiple vortex tubes to cool it properly or use an alternative cooling method. We will discuss this in another video.
Many applications for vortex tubes involve cooling enclosures.
Examples include environmental chambers, which often need cold temperatures. You will use your vortex tube at a much lower flow rate to achieve this. For electronic control panel cooling, there are special versions on the market with built-in venting approved for electrical control panels.
When mounting a vortex tube on an enclosure, place it on top because cold air falls and hot air rises. Mounting it near the bottom will cause the hot air to stay at the top. If there’s no room at the top of the enclosure, make sure to have a vent built into the vortex system or a separate vent breather cap near the top or on the side to let the hot air out.
For very large enclosures, it could take a long time to cool. However, if you distribute the cold air more effectively, the process will be faster. The best way is to have a hose at the end of the tube on the inside to help spread the cold air throughout the enclosure faster.
That’s how you use the vortex tube in an application. Stay tuned for more from EZ Engineering as we move on to a different product.
