DESIGN AND CFD ANALYSIS OF VORTEX TUBE WITH AND WITHOUT INSULATION

Abstract

Industries replace failing tools with new ones without analysing and resolving the root cause of failure. To avoid cutting tool failure owing to thermal shocks and roost development, it is necessary to enhance the tool's quality. On the other hand, the vortex cooling system guarantees that the instrument is devoid of the aforementioned faults. The temperature distribution in the vortex tube's axial direction was investigated, and it was determined to be sub-zero temperatures suitable for cooling. To model flow patterns, thermal separation, and pressure gradient phenomena, CFD methods are employed. CFD is utilised in this research to determine the optimal design of the vortex tube. Experimental studies are performed to investigate the effect of geometrical parameterson temperature separation and flow field in the vortex tube. Inlet dimensions, length and diameter of vortex tube are the main geometrical parameterstakenintoaccount. Two types of Vortex tube model designed here one with insulation of wooden material and other one is without insulation; Experiments show that most of the temperature separation happens near inlet from the studies on length of vortex tubes. Inlet nozzle with lower aspect ratio gives better temperature separation. Temperature separation is further increased when convergent divergent nozzle is used. Flow field studies on different geometrical parameters show that number of helical turns and residence time increase with temperature separation. Experimental studies on scale effect in mass flow rate between small and big vortex tubes are discussed. It is found that big vortex tube requires seven times the mass flow rate needed by the small vortex tube.To analyse fluid behaviour within the vortex tube, a numerical analysis was conducted utilising different geometrical and thermal physical factors. ANSYS FLUENT 15.0 was used to solve the governing equations using a 3D model in a fluid domain. The design proved to be a model for others to follow.