An Experimental Investigation towards Optimizing the Geometry and Material of Vortex Tube

The main interest of this study is to know the effect of tube material having different thermal conductivities, on the performance of the vortex tube energy separation. Also, the study evaluates the optimal tube length to diameter ratio (L/D) and the effect of inlet pressure on the performance of the vortex. Experimentation consists of three different tube materials, Acrylic, Aluminium and Copper. By maintaining the tube diameter 20 mm as constant, different L/D ratios of range 12.5 to 30 were considered by changing the length of the hot end of the tube. From the experimental data it is observed that the material with less thermal conductivity and optimal L/D ratio vortex tube has the maximum total temperature difference.