This paper presents a comparison between the performance predicted by a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model and experimental measurements taken using a commercially available vortex tube. Specifically, the measured exit temperatures into and out of the vortex tube are compared with the CFD model. The data and the model are both verified using global mass and energy balances. The CFD model is a two-dimensional (2D) steady axisymmetric model (with swirl) that utilizes both the standard and renormalization group (RNG) k-epsilon turbulence models. While CFD has been used previously to understand the fluid behavior internal to the vortex tube, it has not been applied as a predictive model of the vortex tube in order to develop a design tool that can be used with confidence over a range of operating conditions and geometries. The objective of this paper is the demonstration of the successful use of CFD in this regard, thereby providing a powerful tool that can be used to optimize vortex tube design as well as assess its utility in the context of new applications.

Comparison of CFD analysis to empirical data in a commercial vortex tube

The vortex tube or Ranque–Hilsch vortex tube is a device that enables the separation of hot and cold air as compressed air flows tangentially into the vortex chamber through inlet nozzles. Separating cold and hot airs by using the principles of the vortex tube can be applied to industrial applications such as cooling equipment in CNC machines, refrigerators, cooling suits, heating processes, etc. The vortex tube is well-suited for these applications because it is simple, compact, light, quiet, and does not use Freon or other refrigerants (CFCs/HCFCs). It has no moving parts and does not break or wear and therefore requires little maintenance. Thus, this paper presents an overview of the phenomena occurring inside the vortex tube during the temperature/energy separation on both the counter flow and parallel flow types. The paper also reviews the experiments and the calculations presented in previous studies on temperature separation in the vortex tube. The experiment consisted of two important parameters, the first is the geometrical characteristics of the vortex tube (for example, the diameter and length of the hot and cold tubes, the diameter of the cold orifice, shape of the hot (divergent) tube, number of inlet nozzles, shape of the inlet nozzles, and shape of the cone valve. The second is focused on the thermo-physical parameters such as inlet gas pressure, cold mass fraction, moisture of inlet gas, and type of gas (air, oxygen, helium, and methane). For each parameter, the temperature separation mechanism and the flow-field inside the vortex tubes is explored by measuring the pressure, velocity, and temperature fields. The computation review is concentrated on the quantitative, theoretical, analytical, and numerical (finite volume method) aspects of the study. Although many experimental and numerical studies on the vortex tubes have been made, the physical behaviour of the flow is not fully understood due to its complexity and the lack of consistency in the experimental findings. Furthermore, several different hypotheses based on experimental, analytical, and numerical studies have been put forward to describe the thermal separation phenomenon.

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Review of Ranque–Hilsch effects in vortex tubes

A critical review of temperature separation in a vortex tube

Numerical investigation of the thermal separation in a Ranque–Hilsch vortex tube

Large eddy simulations of the flow field and temperature separation in the Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is used to investigate the energy separation mechanism and flow phenomena within a counter-flow vortex tube. A two-dimensional axi-symmetric CFD model has been developed that exhibits the general behavior expected from a vortex tube. The model results are compared to experimental data obtained from a laboratory vortex tube operated with room temperature compressed air. The CFD model is subsequently used to investigate the internal thermal-fluid processes that are responsible for the vortex tube's temperature separation behavior. The model shows that the vortex tube flow field can be divided into three regions that correspond to: flow that will eventually leave through the hot exit (hot flow region), flow that will eventually leave through the cold exit (cold flow region), and flow that is entrained within the device (re-circulating region). The underlying physical processes are studied by calculating the heat and work transfers through control surfaces defined by the streamlines that separate these regions. It was found that the energy separation exhibited by the vortex tube can be primarily explained by a work transfer caused by a torque produced by viscous shear acting on a rotating control surface that separates the cold flow region and the hot flow region. This work transfer is from the cold region to the hot region whereas the net heat transfer flows in the opposite direction and therefore tends to reduce the temperature separation effect. A parametric study of the effect of varying the diameter and length of the vortex tube is also presented.

Parametric and internal study of the vortex tube using a CFD model

This paper describes a field experimental investigation of the effects of frost formation on the performance of a low-temperature large-scale evaporator coil used in industrial refrigeration systems. A series of experiments were conducted to determine the in situ coil cooling capacity of the evaporator over time as frost builds on its surfaces. Field-measured quantities include inlet and outlet air temperatures, inlet and outlet air relative humidity, and air volume flow rate. These measurements provide a baseline set of experimental data that can be used to validate numerical models of industrial evaporators operating under frosting conditions.

Experimental investigation of the performance of industrial evaporator coils operating under frosting conditions

This paper describes a theoretical model of a large-scale, ammonia-fed evaporator coil used in an industrial refrigeration system and operating under low temperature air and refrigerant conditions that are typically encountered in refrigerated storage spaces. The model is used to simulate the performance of counter-flow and parallel-flow circuited evaporator coil designs under frosting conditions. The counter-flow frost model is validated using in situ data obtained from a field-installed evaporator coil. The performance of an evaporator in a parallel-flow circuit arrangement is simulated and compared to counter-flow circuiting. The effects of coil circuiting are evaluated in terms of the frost distribution across the evaporator coil and the associated reduction in cooling capacity during operation.

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Comparison of parallel- and counter-flow circuiting in an industrial evaporator under frosting conditions

• Thermophysical and tribological analyses of nanolubricant carried out for Air conditioning (AC) application • Nanodiamond (ND) and POE experiments examined vol.% from 0.05 to 0.5% with temperature ranges of 10 to 100°C • ND/POE nanolubricant properties data validated and correlated for density, thermal conductivity, and viscosity • 0.1 vol.% of ND/POE nanolubricant yielded the optimum minimum coefficient of friction (COF) • ND/POE nanolubricant showed potential for AC compressor improvement Compressor oil lubricant plays a vital role in enhancing the performance of air conditioning (AC) systems. Thermophysical and tribological properties, as well as physical stability, of Polyolester (POE) oil dispersed with nanodiamond (ND) have been evaluated experimentally to determine its suitability and feasibility for utilization as a nanolubricant in AC compressors. Thermophysical properties correlations were developed for the ND/POE nanolubricant with volume percentage and temperatures ranges of 0.05 to 0.5% and 10 to 100°C, respectively. The density, thermal conductivity, and viscosity were found to increase with increasing ND particle concentration and reduced with increasing preparation temperature. The developed thermophysical properties correlations showed relatively accurate predictions with a maximum mean absolute error (MAE) of 6%. The nanolubricant at 0.1 vol.% showed the lowest coefficient of friction (COF) to improve the frictional power losses. The ND/POE nanolubricant exhibited a well-dispersed stability using both the photograph image capturing approach and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis) analysis. As a result of the enhanced thermal, tribological and stability qualities, prolonged lifespan and cool operation of AC compressors are anticipated when utilizing POE oil containing up to 0.1 vol.% of ND. 

Experimental Investigation of Thermophysical Properties, Tribological Properties and Dispersion Stability of Nanodiamond-Based Nanolubricant for Air Conditioning Systems

N.F. Aljuwayhel

Papers

Parametric and internal study of the vortex tube using a CFD model

Experimental investigation of the performance of industrial evaporator coils operating under frosting conditions

Comparison of parallel- and counter-flow circuiting in an industrial evaporator under frosting conditions

Experimental Investigation of Thermophysical Properties, Tribological Properties and Dispersion Stability of Nanodiamond-Based Nanolubricant for Air Conditioning Systems

Thermo-fluidic performance of SiO2–ZnO/water hybrid nanofluid on enhancement of heat transport in a tube: Experimental results