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EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON RANQUE-HILSCH VORTEX TUBE

A THESIS

submitted by

R. MANIMARAN
for the award of the degree

of

MASTER OF SCIENCE
(by Research)

DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, MADRAS. JUNE 2010

THESIS CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the thesis titled EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON RANQUEHILSCH VORTEX TUBE, submitted by R. Manimaran, to the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, for the award of the degree of Master of Science (by Research), is a bona de record of the research work done by him under our supervision. The contents of this thesis, in full or in parts, have not been submitted to any other Institute or University for the award of any degree or diploma.

Prof. M. Ramakrishna Research Guide Professor Dept. of Aerospace Engineering IIT-Madras, 600 036

Prof. P. A. Ramakrishna Research Guide Assistant Professor Dept. of Aerospace Engineering IIT-Madras, 600 036

Place: Chennai Date: 4th June 2010

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I thank my advisors Dr. M. Ramakrishna and Dr. P.A. Ramakrishna for giving me an opportunity to do experimental work. I express sincere thanks and gratitude to Dr. M. Ramakrishna for educating me. I thank Dr. P.A. Ramakrishna for giving valuable ideas in the research work.

I thank former chairman of doctoral committee meeting, Prof. Job Kurian for his curiousness and motivation towards my research work. I also thank the head of department and chairman of doctoral committee meeting, Prof.P. Sriram for his continuous encouragement in my work. I thank my doctoral committee members Dr. Amit kumar, Dr. Harishankar Ramachandran, Dr. Sunil kumar, Dr. H.S.N. Murthy for their keen support in my research work. I thank faculties in my department, Dr. Chakravarthy, Dr. R.I. Sujith, Dr. Velmurugan, Dr.S.C. Rajan, Dr.H.S.N. Murthy, Dr. Luoyi Tao and Dr.T.M. Muruganandam for their contribution towards building my experimental setup. I also thank Dr. V. Raghavan of mechanical engineering department for providing infusion pump in ow visualization studies.

I thank research scholars and non-teaching staff of Aerospace engg. department, Refrigeration and air-conditioning dept, Thermodynamics dept and Machine design dept. I have to thank many friends in aerospace engg. department, Mr. Palani kumar, Mr. K. Chenthil kumar, Mr. M. Mahendran, Mr. Ayan nath, Mr. Rajiv Kumar, Mr. Suneel, Mr. Srinath, Mr. Diwakar, Mr. Tushar Jadhav, Mr. K. Ramesh, Mr. Y.S. Rammohan, Mr. Vijay Kumar Cheeda, Mr. S. Ashok, Mr. S. Hariram, Mr. P. Vadivel, Mr. Sivaprasad, Mr. Nitesh Shah and Mr. Rajesh for providing assistance and valuable time in discussions. I thank Mr. T.J.S. Jothi, Mr. Parag and Mr. Bhoopathy of thermodynamics department for their help in experimental work. I thank Mr. Arun prakash of machine design department in assisting during the fabrication work. I thank Mr. Elangovan, laboratory assistant in R & AC dept. for his kind help in making copper coils. I thank Mr. i

Thomas, former M. Tech student in R & AC dept for translating the scripts in a paper from a german scientic journal. I thank Mr. Masilamani for his excellent fabrication of big Ranque-Hilsch vortex tubes and assisting in the experimental setup of big vortex tube. His precise work in fabrication fetched me fruitful results.

I am always grateful to my mother and father, brother and sister-in-law for their motivation and encouragement during my research work. I also thank my school friends for their enthusiastc co-operation in my research work.

ii

ABSTRACT
KEYWORDS: Ranque Hilsch Vortex Tube; Temperature Separation; Heat transfer; Work transfer; Flow Visualization; Geometrical parameters.

Two major theories on temperature separation in vortex tube are found from the literature. Experimental studies are performed to understand the importance of temperature separation from those theories. Hypotheses are proposed and tested on insulated and non-insulated vortex tubes. It is found that both theories explain the temperature separation in those experiments. Experiments with different gases as working medium are performed. No explanation can be given as specic heat at constant pressure is not same for the gases considered. Experiments performed with copper and PVC tube inside the vortex tube show that heat transfer from core to periphery is not more signicant. Experiments at low inlet pressure indicates that explanation for temperature separation is given only by theory of energy transfer by work in order not to violate the second law of thermodynamics.

Experimental studies are performed to investigate the effect of geometrical parameters on temperature separation and oweld in the vortex tube. Inlet dimensions, cold orice diameter, length and diameter of vortex tube are the main geometrical parameters taken into account. 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. Floweld 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 ow rate between small and big vortex tubes are discussed. It is found that big vortex tube requires seven times the mass ow rate needed by the small vortex tube.

iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ABSTRACT LIST OF TABLES LIST OF FIGURES ABBREVIATIONS NOTATION 1 Introduction 1.1 Two Major theories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.1.1 1.1.2 1.2 Theory of Energy Transfer by Heat . . . . . . . . . . . . . Theory of Energy Transfer by Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . i iii vii ix x xii 1 2 2 3 4 5 7 9 11 11 11 12 12 12 13 15

Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2.1 1.2.2 1.2.3 Analytical Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Computational Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Experimental Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.3

Parametric studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3.1 1.3.2 1.3.3 1.3.4 Length of vortex tube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inlet of vortex tube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cold end orice diameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Flow Visualization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.4 1.5 2

Motivation and Objective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Organization of thesis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Experimental Methodology

iv

2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 3

Experimental setup for temperature separation . . . . . . . . . . . . Experimental setup for ow visualization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Construction of Vortex Tube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Duration of an experiment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Experimental Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Non-dimensional Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

15 15 16 17 18 20 20 22 23 26 28 31 32 34 39 42 42 45 47 49 53 57 57 58 58 60 60 63 64

Theory of Temperature Separation 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Experiments on Vortex Tubes of Different Thermal Conductivities . Insulation on Copper Vortex Tube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Effect of inlet temperature, To . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Effect of wall Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Physical Properties of Gases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Experiments with tube separating core and periphery . . . . . . . . Experiments at lower inlet pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Parametric Studies 4.1 4.2 Length of vortex tube (L) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Different inlet nozzle geometry (hi ,wi ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.2.1 4.3 4.4 Effect of inlet mass ow rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Orice diameter of cold stream exit (dc ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inner diameter of vortex tube (D) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Conclusion and Future Work 5.1 5.2 5.3 Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Future Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A Rotameter Calibration A.1 Uncertainty analysis of mass ow rate measurement in rotameter . . A.2 Calibration of rotameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A.3 Sensitivity check in rotameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v

A.4 Mass ow rate with argon gas as test uid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A.5 Mass ow rate with nitrogen gas as test uid . . . . . . . . . . . . . A.6 Mass ow rate with helium gas as test uid . . . . . . . . . . . . . A.7 Mass ow rate with hydrogen gas as test uid . . . . . . . . . . . . A.8 Mass ow rate with air as test uid (Rotameters used in the experimental setup on big vortex tube, D=53 mm) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

64 65 65 66 66

LIST OF TABLES
3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 4.1 Thermal conductivity of different materials of vortex tubes . . . . . Different gases and their properties (Poling et al.) at 273 K . . . . . Different gases and their properties (Poling et al.) at 273 K . . . . . Experimental data for the unchoked ow at the inlet . . . . . . . . . Temperature separation, residence time and number of helical ow turns by varying L/D of vortex tube with dc /D=0.37 and inlet hi /wi =0.6 at Po =2 bar and =0.4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 32 34 39

45

4.2

Temperature separation, residence time and number of helical ow turns by varying inlet congurations in vortex tube with dc /D=0.47 and L/D=40 at Po =2 bar and =0.4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Temperature separation, residence time and number of helical ow turns by varying dc /D of vortex tube with inlet hi /wi =0.6 and L/D=40 at Po =2 bar and =0.4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4.3

51

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LIST OF FIGURES
1.1 1.2 1.3 Schematic of Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Graph showing static temperature and velocity for core and periphery uid particles near inlet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Schematic of core and peripheral ows and their corresponding angular velocities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Schematic of the experimental setup for temperature separation . . . Schematic of the experimental setup for ow visualization . . . . . Response time of four thermocouples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Construction of the vortex tube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preliminary experiment with compressed air at Po =6 bar for a duration of 1800 secs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Schematic showing experimental parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . Performance of vortex tubes of different thermal conductivities . . . Schematic for explanation of temperature separation in PVC vortex tube Schematic for explanation of temperature separation in copper vortex tube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Copper vortex tube with wax casting and covered by PVC . . . . . Performance of insulated & non-insulated copper vortex tubes and PVC vortex tube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Schematic of experimental setup for heating the ow before the inlet of vortex tube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Performance of PVC & MS vortex tube at Po =2.5 bar and different inlet temperature (To ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Performance of precooled vortex tube for different Ta . . . . . . . . Temperature separation in PVC vortex tube for various gases . . . . 1 3 4 16 17 18 19 19 21 24 25 25 26 27 29 30 31 33 35 35 36

2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9

3.10 Schematic showing tube-insert placed inside the PVC vortex tube . 3.11 Photograph showing tube present inside the perspex vortex tube . . 3.12 Tube present inside the perspex vortex tube when viewed from hot end

viii

3.13 Flow visualization with the tube present inside the perspex vortex tube 3.14 Performance of vortex tubes with and without the copper and PVC tube placed inside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.15 Schematic showing the measurement of temperature and pressure when ow is not choked at the inlet of vortex chamber . . . . . . . . . . . 3.16 Schematic showing the port at station 4, where pressure is measured 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 Performance of vortex tubes of different lengths with dc /D=0.47 and inlet hi /wi =0.6 at Po =6 bar and =0.4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Floweld experiments in vortex tubes of different lengths with dc /D=0.37 and inlet hi /wi =0.6 at Po =2 bar and =0.4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vortex tube with inlet of height hi and width wi . . . . . . . . . . . Performance of vortex tubes with constant area inlet of different inlet aspect ratio with L/D=40, dc /D=0.37 and Po =6 bar . . . . . . . . . Performance of vortex tubes for inlet of different area with L/D=39, dc /D=0.47 at Po =6 bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Floweld experiments in vortex tube for various inlet congurations with L/D=40, dc /D=0.47 and Po =2 bar and =0.4 . . . . . . . . . . Performance of vortex tubes for different dc /D at =0.4 for vortex tube of L/D=40 and inlet hi /wi =0.6 at Po =6 bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Floweld experiments in vortex tubes for different dc /D with L/D=40, inlet hi /wi =0.6 at Po =2 bar and =0.4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Performance of vortex tubes with dc /D=0.5 (D=53 mm),0.47 (D=19 mm) at L/D=18 and Po =6 bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

37 38 40 40

43 44 46 46 47 48 50 52 54 55

4.10 Performance of vortex tube (D=53 mm) at L/D=18, =0.4 and Po =6 bar by varying dc /D for two different inlet aspect ratio . . . . . . . . .

ix

ABBREVIATIONS

C Cu CFD CDH CDV d D h N K L MS m P PVC R r T w USB X,Y,Z

specic heat Copper computational uid dynamics convergent divergent nozzle when ow at exit is expanded horizontally convergent divergent nozzle when ow at exit is expanded vertically orice diameter inner diameter of vortex tube height number of helical ow turns thermal conductivity length of vortex tube mild steel mass ow rate pressure poly vinyl chloride inner radius of vortex tube radius temperature width universal serial bus co-ordinates in vortex tube

SUFFIXES

a c h i o p s

ambient cold end hot end inlet nozzle stagnation condition (in settling chamber) constant pressure condition when ow is expanded isentropically at inlet

xi

NOTATION

Tc

residence time specic heat ratio To Tc

temperature drop ratio (

To Tc ) To Ts dynamic viscosity, cold gas mass fraction (

mc ) mc + mh

xii

CHAPTER 1 Introduction

Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube is a simple tube with one inlet and two outlets. It consists of a vortex chamber, orice, vortex tube and a conical valve. Compressed gas is allowed to enter into the vortex chamber tangentially (Fig. 1.1) so that a swirling ow is established in the vortex tube. One of the outlets is nearer to inlet, where the gas exits through an orice located at the center. Since the gas exiting at this place via orice is cold, this location is referred as cold end. The other outlet is at the farther end from the inlet where the gas exits at the periphery. Since the gas exiting at the periphery is hot, this location is called as hot end. The setting of a conical valve at the hot end determines the mass ow-rate of streams exiting at cold end and hot end. The splitting of inlet total temperature into a higher total temperature than inlet at hot end and a lower total temperature than inlet at cold end is called the temperature separation and it is also called as the Ranque-Hilsch effect.
L Vortex Chamber A Blockage Cone Cold stream exit orifice wi Y Inlet Z

dc

Cold End A Section AA Y X h

Vortex tube

Hot End

Figure 1.1: Schematic of Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube

Studies from the past literature on Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube were carried out experimentally, analytically and numerically. The explanation of the mechanism of temperature separation was rst given by the inventor Ranque and is still in debate today.

1.1

Two Major theories

Various experimental, analytical and computational studies were performed in understanding the temperature separation in vortex tube. From the individual studies, theories were proposed at the end of their work. However, these theories can be fundamentally classied under two major divisions from the thermodynamics point of view. Theory of energy transfer by heat and theory of energy transfer by work are the two major theories. These two major theories are explained towards the temperature separation in vortex tube.

1.1.1

Theory of Energy Transfer by Heat

Due to heat transfer from core to periphery, temperature separation occurs. The uid particle has higher velocity and lower static temperature near inlet than elsewhere. Since the uid particle is injected at the periphery, it moves towards the peripheral opening due to axial pressure gradient. The velocity of the uid particle decreases and thereby the static temperature increases according to the following equation To = T + V2 2Cp

where To = Total temperature of a uid particle T = Static temperature of a uid particle V2 = Dynamic temperature of a uid particle 2Cp Due to the presence of cone at the farther end from inlet, some uid particles leave the vortex tube at the periphery, while some uid particles return backwards at core region. Hence the static temperature of these uid particles (which returned backwards and progressing towards the inlet at core region) increases as the velocity decreases. When the core uid particle arrives near inlet, the core is at higher static temperature than at the periphery where the static temperature is lowest in the vortex tube as already 2

explained. This is illustrated in a graph shown in Fig. 1.2.

There should be heat transfer from core uid particles to peripheral uid particles. The static temperature of core uid particles drops due to heat transfer and static temperature of peripheral uid particles increases. This leads to lower total temperature at the core and higher total temperature at the periphery. The theory of energy transfer by heat is suggested by Bruun (1969),Scheper (1951),Scheller and Brown (1957),Sibulkin (1962),Ahlborn and Groves (1997).

To, inlet Core (near inlet) Static temperature, T

Periphery (inlet)

Velocity, V

Figure 1.2: Graph showing static temperature and velocity for core and periphery uid particles near inlet

1.1.2

Theory of Energy Transfer by Work

The nature of the oweld in the vortex tube is of swirling type at the periphery as well as in the core regions. The direction of spin of core and periphery is observed to be in the same direction from the ow visualization experiments carried out in the present study. Fig. 1.3 shows two different zones, core and periphery rotating at two different velocities. As angular momentum should be conserved, core particle should have a higher angular velocity than that of a peripheral paricle. 3

Peripheral flow
p

Core Flow
c

> p

Figure 1.3: Schematic of core and peripheral ows and their corresponding angular velocities

Experimental studies by Martynovskii and Alekseev (1957) and numerical studies by Aljuwayhel et al. (2005) and Behera et al. (2008) show that the core spins faster than the periphery. This gives rise to shear between the core and periphery. Shear caused by velocity gradients is responsible for work transfer from core to periphery. This shear work causes the internal energy to increase at periphery and decrease at core. Since energy is transferred from core to periphery in the form of shear work, energy decreases at core and increases at periphery. Hence total temperature is lower than inlet at the core and higher than inlet at the periphery. The theory of energy transfer by work is supported by Aljuwayhel et al. (2005),Hilsch (1947),Fulton (1950),Deemter (1952),Martynovskii and Alekseev (1957),Takahama (1965),Deissler and Perlmutter (1960),Frohlingsdorf and Unger (1999),Behera et al. (2008).

1.2

Literature

Several people worked on vortex tube by different methods. They are grouped under three main categories i.e. experimental, analytical and computational studies. They are listed as follows.

1.2.1

Analytical Studies
of energy Theory of energy Other theories

Theory

transfer by heat Sibulkin (1962) proposed model that

transfer by work Fulton (1950) argued that the energy separation resulted from the exchange of energy between the air near the axis with a high angular velocity and the air at the periphery with a low angular velocity. Katz that of (1960) the argued principle of

leads to an equivalent unsteady-ow analysis for the development of the ow in the vortex tube. this analysis, Using radial

conservation

angular

momentum

appears to control the conversion of heat to mechanical energy. A similar mechanism may account for some characteristics of tornadoes, where are measurements performed and

distributions of velocity and temperature can be calculated at successive axial positions in the tube. -

studied. Deemter tended (1952) ex- Ahlborn and Gordon (2000) observed that thermodynamics and

Bernoulli

equation to turbulent ow and applied to a rotational ow in Ranque Hilsch vortex tube.

uid dynamics in the vortex tube resemble to that of a cooling cycle in a refrigerator.

Theory

of

energy

Theory

of

energy

Other theories

transfer by heat -

transfer by work Kassner and Knoernschild (1948) explained a ow which complies with the law of constant angular momentum. The irrotational Trofmov (2000) did a simplied model of a continuous medium with distributed internal angular momenta to the description of real ows in Ranque vortex tubes. The inho-

ow gets changed under the inuence of viscosity to create a change in tangential velocities at core and periphery. The change

mogeneity of temperature is caused by the strengthening and destruction of the angular momentum eld.

in velocity along radius inuences the temperature distribution. Deissler and Perlmutter (1960) concluded that the most important factor affecting the total temperature of a uid element in a compressible vortex is the turbulent shear work done on or by the element.

Shannak (2004) considered the analytical model based on the equation of conservation of energy, friction losses and heat losses.

1.2.2

Computational Studies
Theory of energy transfer by work Other theories

Theory of energy

transfer by heat Gutsol and Bakken (1998) found the efciency of thermal insulation of a microwave-generated plasma using reverse vortex ow by experimental and numerical studies. Energy separation takes place due to radial motion of turbulent micro-volumes with differing tangential velocities in the strong centrifugal eld in vortex tube. Frohlingsdorf and Unger (1999) argued in order to calculate successfully the energy separation, the numerical model had to be extended by integrating relevant terms for the shear stress induced mechanical work. They found that expansion process and diffusion of mechanical work leads to separation into a cold and hot gas streams in vortex tube. Aljuwayhel et al. (2005) found that the torque from cold inner layers to peripheral layers results in temperature separation. Heat transfer takes place in opposite direction and tends to reduce temperature separation. -

Theory of energy

Theory of energy transfer by work

Other theories

transfer by heat Eiamsa-ard and Promvonge (2007) have shown the computations with selective source terms of the energy equation suppressed which indicate that the diffusive transport of mean kinetic energy has a substantial inuence on the maximum temperature separation occurring near the inlet region. In the downstream region far from the inlet, expansion effects and the stress generation with its gradient transport are also signicant. Behera et al. (2008) discussed the possible energy transfer mechanisms and an estimate has been made on the magnitude of energy transfer from the cold end exit ow to hot end exit ow. They found that azimuthal velocity component of shear work is predominant for temperature separation for greater than 0.65. -

1.2.3

Experimental Studies
of energy Theory of energy Other theories

Theory

transfer by heat Scheper (1951) found that the static temperature decreased in a radially outward direction. He hypothe-

transfer by work Ranque (1934) exElser and Hoch (1951) argued the velocity of is gas differMaxwell

plained the uid under pressure is introduced tangentially into a

distribution molecules ent from

vessel produces two sheets of uids having opposite axial motions, the inner sheet expanding and compressing the outer sheet, thus supplying heat.

sized the energy separation mechanism as heat transfer by forced convection.

Boltzmann distribution.

Scheller (1957)

and

Brown the

Hilsch (1947) designed the vortex tube for better efciency and hypothesised the expansion of a gas in a centrifugal eld producing cold gas and heating of gas due to friction to yield the temperature separation.

Pengelley (1955) obtained experimental

studied

lines of constant static temperature, which

data in the laboratory to outline the

show that the air near the axis is at a higher static temperature than the air near the wall. This static temperature gradient suggests that heat will be transferred.

hypothesis of energy separation in vortex

tube. The mechanism is similar to expansion turbine and uid drive transmission.

Theory

of

energy

Theory

of

energy

Other theories

transfer by heat Bruun (1969) measured the velocity distribution of air in a counterow vortex tube at various cross-sections. Com-

transfer by work Martynovskii and Alekseev (1957) obtained the analytic expression for the ratio of kinetic energy and heat currents and conducted experiment to verify a hypothesis. They argued that temperature separation is obtained due to work transfer from core to periphery. Knysh (1979) found that self-oscillation

processes are among the most important deter-

factors

which

parison is made between the order of magnitude of the radial and axial convection terms in the equations of motion and energy. He argued that turbulent heat transport could lead to temperature separation. Ahlborn and Groves (1997) measured the velocity shows eld reverse that ow

mine the acceleration of heat exchange and the increase in the hydraulic resistance in a vortex tube.

Stephan et al. (1983) found that the Gortler vortex produced by the tangential velocity on the inside wall of the vortex tube is a major driving force for the energy separation.

Hartnett

and

Eckert

(1976) carried out the measurements of pressures, temperatures and ow angles. Turbulent ow and vortex motion is explained to be the cause of temperature separation.

at the core of vortex tube and this magnitude is higher than the mass ow exiting at cold orice exit. They suggested secondary that

circulation

could be the engine of Ranque-Hilsch effect.

10

1.3

Parametric studies

Many investigations have been found on the parameters of vortex tube. A brief literature of few important parameters are described next. Several attempts to visualize the oweld are also discussed.

1.3.1

Length of vortex tube

Linderstrom-lang (1964) found the temperature separation between the two streams is based on the length of vortex tube. Singh et al. (2004) found that higher temperature drops are obtained in vortex tube made of maximum temperature drop tube design, whereas, more cold fraction and higher adiabatic efciency are obtained with maximum cooling effect tube design. Length of the tube has no effect on the performance of the vortex tube in the range of 45 to 55 (L/D). Aydin and Baki (2006) investigated the performance of counterow vortex tube under different inlet pressures, different gases, the length of the vortex tube. Dincer et al. (2008) studied the effect of length to diameter ratio by an articial neural networks model which employs experimental data. Behera et al. (2008) found from numerical computations on the variations of L/D that most of the temperature separation happens near inlet.

1.3.2

Inlet of vortex tube

Promvonge and Eiamsa-ard (2005) studied the effects of the number of inlet tangential nozzles on the temperature reduction and isentropic efciency. Wu et al. (2007) designed a new nozzle with equal gradient of Mach number and a new intake ow passage of nozzles with equal ow velocity to reduce the ow loss. A new kind of diffuser invented was installed for reducing friction loss of air ow at the end of the hot end tube of vortex tube, which can greatly improve the performance of vortex tube. Aydin and Baki (2006) worked on to nd the favourable diameter of the inlet nozzle. Behera et al. (2005) performed CFD and experimental studies towards the optimization of inlet nozzle proles. Takahama (1965) gave a relation for inlet area design for maximum temperature separation. 11

1.3.3

Cold end orice diameter

Promvonge and Eiamsa-ard (2005) studied the effects of cold orice diameter on temperature separation. Deemter (1952) extended Bernoulli equation to rotational and turbulent ow and gave a theoretical interpretation to the inuence of the size of diaphragm. Behera et al. (2005) performed CFD and experimental studies towards the optimization of inlet nozzle proles. The swirl velocity, axial velocity and radial velocity components as well as the ow patterns including secondary circulation ow have been evaluated by Behera et al. (2005).

1.3.4

Flow Visualization

Lay (1956) made investigation to visualize the ow eld in vortex tube using smoke, ne powder and confetti. A clear streak line is visualized when distilled water is injected using a hypodermic needle. Hartnett and Eckert (1976) and Scheper (1951) made qualitative predictions in radial velocities by using wool tuft. Aydin and Baki (2006) attempted to visualize the streak line by injecting gas in a vortex tube whose wall is covered with smoke powder.

1.4

Motivation and Objective

The brief review of literature gives a clear idea about the studies carried out so far. The motivation for conducting research work is mentioned in the following points. From the literature, one can understand the experimental research work involved the measurement of physical quantities (pressure, temperature) and ow angle at certain sections in vortex tube. Explanation for temperature separation was given by analyzing the data from analytical and computaional studies. However, experimental studies are mroe meaningful and hence a series of experiments are conducted to understand which theory is predominant. The importance of inlet aspect ratio is not mentioned in the literature before. Geometries such as convergent divergent inlets in horizontal and vertical directions are not explored. Several experimental studies were conducted in the past so that maximum temperature separation can happen at a favorable L/D, dc ..etc. However, explanations were given without proof on the arrival of a favorable geometric condition on temperature separation. But, ow visualization experiments may 12

give an idea about the understanding of ow and temperature separation for different geometrical parameters. It also helps to observe the important parameters from ow visualization study that are responsible for temperature separation. In experiments performed so far other than the Hilsch (1947), the temperature separation has never been checked between lower and higher inner diameters. However, Hilsch (1947) performed experiments in vortex tube of inner diameter D=4.6, 9.6 and 17.6 mm and not like D>50 mm. The vortex tube of D>50 mm can nd potential applications in cooling the room space. Scaling studies have never been carried out in understanding the quantity of inlet mass ow rate required for the same temperature separation between smaller and bigger vortex tubes.

Hence the broad objective of this thesis is to understand the ow eld and in particularly the temperature separation effect by experiments. These objectives are tackled by carrying out suitable methodologies. Methodologies include the experimental ow visualization by varying the geometrical parameters and performance of a series of experiments to understand the cause of temperature separation based on the two major theories.

1.5

Organization of thesis

Thesis contains totally ve chapters and an appendix. Chapter 2 gives the experimental details about the experimental setup for Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube. The duration of experiment needed and the procedure to carry out the experiments on temperature separation and ow visualization are explained here. Chapter 3 includes the heart of thesis. The sequence of experiments to analyse the reason for temperature separation is presented here. Hypothesis is proposed from the theory of energy transfer by work and tested. Six different sets of experiments are performed to get an understanding of temperature separation. In chapter 4, several geometrical parameters are varied and the possible ow pattern is understood. Other details like the scaling effect between small and big vortex tubes are also studied. Chapter 5 concludes the thesis with the main points arrived from the experiments of temperature separation and ow visualization. The scope of the present experimental study can be extended with the points mentioned in the future work. In appendix, the uncertainty analysis is made in the measurement of

13

mass ow rate while calibrating the rotameter. The sensitivity analysis of the rotameter is also studied. The calibrated values of mass ow rate for different gases as working medium are presented.

14

CHAPTER 2

Experimental Methodology

2.1

Experimental setup for temperature separation

Commercially available nitrogen gas is used for experimental studies. The schematic of the experimental setup is shown in Fig. 2.1. A pressure regulator is used to bring the pressure of gas from 150 bar in the gas bottle to 10 bar. Because of the pressure drop in cylinders, temperature of the gas also drops. A copper coil is used to bring the temperature of gas to room temperature. Gas passes through the copper coil, which is immersed in water. After exiting the coil the gas attains room temperature. Then it enters the settling chamber, which acts like a reservoir. High pressure rubber hoses are used between the pressure regulator and copper coil and from copper coil to the settling chamber. From the settling chamber. the gas is injected into the vortex chamber tangentially. Pressure and temperature are measured inside the settling chamber. Temperature is measured at the center line of cold stream exit and at the periphery before the hot end exit. Ambient temperature is also measured. Rotameters are used to measure the mass ow-rate of cold stream ow and hot stream ow. Since they are calibrated at room temperature, copper coil arrangements are used to bring the temperature of cold and hot stream ows to room temperature as said above.

2.2

Experimental setup for ow visualization

The experimental setup for visualizing the oweld in the vortex tube using tracer method (ink injection) is shown in Fig. 2.2. As explained in the experimental setup for temperature separation, the setup continues until the settling chamber. An infusion pump is used to inject ink on the nitrogen gas stream. Injection is made using a hypodermic needle (inner diameter of 0.4 mm). This gas stream along with ink particles

Nitrogen Gas Regulator 6.5 bar 8 bar

Pressure

Settling Chamber
P o , To

Water

Temperature Mass flow rate


mc

6 bar Mass flow rate


mi mh

USB Data Acquisition Water

Tc

RanqueHilsch Vortex Tube

Th

Temperature Personal Computer Temperature

Water Nitrogen Gas Bottles (150 bar)

USB Data Acquisition

Figure 2.1: Schematic of the experimental setup for temperature separation

enter the vortex tube tangentially. Since the ink is higher in density as compared to the working medium (nitrogen), the ink particles can be seen only at the periphery and not at the core. The streak line formed by ink particles leave the vortex tube at hot end. Pressure is only measured in the settling chamber during the ow visualization. A video camera is used to record the motion of ink particles from a place near inlet to hot end.

2.3

Instruments

Diaphragm type pressure transducer is used for measuring gage pressure in the settling chamber. It has a sensitivity of 400 mV/bar and range upto 26 bar(absolute, Note: all the pressure readings are given in absolute units). The resolution in pressure measurement is 0.01 bar. Temperature is measured using T type thermocouple (copper-constantan). The diameter of the thermocouple bead is 0.5 mm. The measurement range of T type thermocouple varies from -200 o C to 350 o C. The uncertainty in the temperature measurement is +/- 1 o C. Thermal response time (Fig. 2.3) of the thermocouple is 2 sec

16

Nitrogen Gas Regulator 2.5 bar 4 bar

Settling Chamber
Po ,

Water

2 bar Gas

Infusion pump Hypodermic Needle with Ink RanqueHilsch Vortex Tube Cold end Hot end Nitrogen Gas Bottle (150 bar)

Figure 2.2: Schematic of the experimental setup for ow visualization

(rise) and 3 sec (fall), which is found by dipping thermocouple in and out of boiling water. Data from the pressure transducer are logged into a personal computer using an USB data acquisition (NI 9239). Similar data acquisition system (NI 9211) is used for acquiring temperature data from four channels (settling chamber, cold end exit, hot end and ambient room). The temperature data are acquired at the rate of 2 samples per second from 4 channels. Pressure data are acquired at the rate of 2000 samples per second from a single channel. Mass ow rates are measured at the cold end and hot end using rotameters. The measurement range of rotameters varies upto 0.06 kg/s. The relative uncertainty in the measurement of mass ow rate using rotameters is less than 5 %. The uncertainty analysis, calibration and sensitivity analysis are given in the appendix of this thesis.

2.4

Construction of Vortex Tube

A transition part (Fig. 2.4) is assembled with the vortex chamber. This part allows for a smooth change in inner cross-sectional area from circular to rectangular section between settling chamber and inlet of vortex chamber. The vortex chamber is made of

17

Figure 2.3: Response time of four thermocouples

two anged units which are connected together by four bolts. Two small rectangular grooves (total groove depth is 5 mm) in the vortex chamber serve as a path for the gas to be injected tangentially into the vortex chamber (number of inlet nozzles is 1). The cold end orice part is threaded to the one side exit of vortex chamber. The diameter of the cold end orice (dc ) is selected as 7 mm unless otherwise mentioned. The vortex tube is threaded to the other side exit of vortex chamber. The length (L) of vortex tube is 738 mm and the inner diameter (D) is 19 mm. A cylindrical piece is assembled at the other end of vortex tube to mount the thermocouple, where the temperature at hot end is measured. The conical valve component is threaded to the other end of the cylindrical piece. Flows exiting at the hot end and cold end are collected and passed through the copper coils (10 mm outer diameter and 7 mm inner diameter).

2.5

Duration of an experiment

Experiments are performed by varying some parameters in the vortex tube. However, the time required for running a single experiment should be found out. If the time for running a single experiment is less, gas used is also less. Hence more experiments can 18

Settling Chamber

Transition Part Cold End

Vortex Tube Hot End Vortex Chamber

Figure 2.4: Construction of the vortex tube

be performed. This saves the expenditure for procuring gas bottles as some gases like helium and argon are expensive. Hence the time for running an experiment has to be decided. A preliminary experiment is carried out with compressed and moisture free air as a working medium for a duration of 1800 secs. Temperatures at inlet, cold end exit of vortex tube and ambient room are measured and shown in Fig. 2.5. It is understood from Fig. 2.5 that temperature after 50 secs from the start of the experiment remain almost steady although a little ucutation is present later. The uctuation in the temperature measurement is due to the turbulent kind of ow. This experiment gives information that 50-60 secs are required for running a single experiment.
40 35 30 Temperature (0C) 25 20 15 10 5 0 -5 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 Time (secs) Ta To Tc

Figure 2.5: Preliminary experiment with compressed air at Po =6 bar for a duration of 1800 secs

19

2.6

Experimental Procedure

Before starting the experiment, it is ensured that there are no gas leakages in the experimental setup. Experiments are performed at Po =2 bar and 6 bar, where temperatures are measured at 4 different places. The pressure and temperature data acquisition systems are started to log the data from pressure transducer and thermocouples. By controlling the valve in gas bottle, pressure in the settling chamber is maintained at Po . Experiments are proceeded until steady temperature is reached. Typical duration required for running a single experiment is 50 secs. Flow visualization experiments involve no temperature measurements and they are performed at Po =2 bar and 0.4. Ink is injected just before the inlet of vortex chamber. After the ow has reached the steady state (after 50 secs), ink is injected. For the experiments on temperature separation, typical duration required for run1 t T ning a single experiment is 50 secs. The time integral dt is evaluated after t 0 t 50 secs. The integral is calculated numerically and found out to be less than 0.01 o C/s. Data acquisition systems are stopped and the pressure and temperature data are retrieved for post processing. Mass ow rates are also measured and noted. In the case of ow visualization experiments, residence time is calculated by analysing the video. Residence time is dened as the time of the ink particle that is present in the vortex tube. It is calculated by counting the frames in the video where a progressing ink particle starts from a place near inlet and exits at hot end exit.

2.7

Non-dimensional Parameters

For comparison, non-dimensional parameters are formed from the quantities shown in Fig. 2.6. and are called as ow and performance parameters. is dened as the ratio of mass ow rate at cold end to mass ow rate at inlet. is dened as the ratio of actual temperature drop to the temperature drop by isentropic expansion. This is also called as isentropic efciency of vortex tube. Higher the , better the temperature separation (or) higher the performance.

20

Settling Chamber Po, To


mh

mc Tc

mi

Water

RanqueHilsch Vortex Tube

Water

Figure 2.6: Schematic showing experimental parameters

= From the conservation of mass,

mc mi

(2.1)

mi = mc + mh It is ensured that no leakages are present in the experimental setup.

(2.2)

mc mc + mh

(2.3)

= where, Ts = To

To Tc To Ts
0

(2.4)

Pa Po

1 A

(2.5)

21

CHAPTER 3

Theory of Temperature Separation

The Ranque-Hilsch effect in vortex tube has been explained in the literature under two main categories i.e. energy transfer by heat and work. When the gas is injected at inlet, the velocity of the ow is higher at the inlet and hence the static temperature is lower. The experimental measurements carried out by Bruun (1969), Scheller and Brown (1957) near the inlet of vortex tube suggest that the static temperature is higher at core than the periphery, where static temperature is lowest in vortex tube. The heat is transferred from core to periphery. This leads to the increase of total temperature at the periphery. Since heat is transferred from the core, the total temperature decreases at the core.

The theory of energy transfer by work explains that two layers i.e. core and periphery are rotating at different speeds. Aljuwayhel et al. (2005) and Behera et al. (2008) have performed computational studies and observed that most of the energy transfer occurs due to viscous action of tangential velocity component. The explanation of Aljuwayhel et al. (2005), Hilsch (1947), Fulton (1950), Martynovskii and Alekseev (1957), Takahama (1965) and Behera et al. (2008) show that the core spins faster than the periphery. This gives rise to shear between the core and periphery. There is work due to shear from core to periphery. This work causes the internal energy to increase at periphery and decrease at core since energy is transferred from core to periphery. Hence peripheral layers are at higher total temperature and core layers are at lower total temperature.

Experiments are performed to identify the cause of temperature separation from the point of two major theories. Series of experiments are performed to get an explanation for the temperature separation.

Material PVC Perspex Mild steel (MS) Copper Wax

K W/(mK) Poling et al. 0.2 1.1 53.6 386 0.26

Table 3.1: Thermal conductivity of different materials of vortex tubes

3.1

Experiments on Vortex Tubes of Different Thermal Conductivities

From the literature, it is seen that the theory of energy transfer by work is supported by many researchers. A hypothesis is proposed from the theory of energy transfer by work. A hypothesis is proposed as follows. The temperature difference exists between core and periphery as a result of shear work from core to periphery. This temperature difference causes energy to transfer back from periphery to core in the form of heat. Suppose, if majority of heat at the periphery can be transferred to the ambient environment by means of better heat conducting material (copper), core results in lower total temperature as more heat is transferred from periphery to ambient. If PVC is used, temperature separation should be lower. Hence experiments are performed on different materials of vortex tube to verify this hypothesis.

According to hypothesis, material with higher thermal conductivity should show higher temperature separation. Experiments are performed on different vortex tubes made of copper, MS, PVC and perspex. Experiments are performed at Po =6 bar and nitrogen gas as working uid. Table. 3.1 shows the different materials for vortex tubes and the corresponding nominal thermal conductivity values at 300 K.

Conditions and details of the experiment are : Po =6 bar, To =303 K, Ta =305 K, mi =20 g/s, = 0.4, Gas : Nitrogen, Inlet hi =3 mm, inlet wi =5 mm and L/D=40, dc /D=0.37, D=19 mm. From the result (Fig. 3.1), the copper vortex tube shows lower performance than

23

Figure 3.1: Performance of vortex tubes of different thermal conductivities

24

PVC vortex tube. The PVC and perspex vortex tubes shows better temperature separation than copper and MS. From the result, the non-insulated vortex tubes (copper and MS) show lower performance than insulated vortex tubes (PVC and perspex).

Heat Central Orifice Inlet

Peripheral Orifice Cold End Hot End

PVC Vortex Tube

Figure 3.2: Schematic for explanation of temperature separation in PVC vortex tube

Heat Central Orifice Inlet

Peripheral Orifice Cold End Hot End

Copper Vortex Tube

Figure 3.3: Schematic for explanation of temperature separation in copper vortex tube

When the gas is injected, the ow becomes choked at inlet. The velocity is higher at periphery near the inlet and thereby the static temperature should be lower. It is to be noted that this static temperature is lower than ambient temperature. Hence heat transfer from ambient environment to periphery in the vortex tube can happen. Heat transfer is lower in PVC vortex tube than in a copper vortex tube. As heat transfer from ambient to periphery near inlet is reduced in PVC vortex tube than in copper vortex tube, the heat transfer from core to periphery is more signicant in PVC vortex tube than in copper vortex tube. Hence PVC vortex tube gives higher temperature separation than copper vortex tube. Figures. 3.2 and 3.2 gives explanation about temperature separation by heat transfer theory. It is to be noted that more heat is conducted from ambient to copper vortex tube than to a PVC vortex tube. The vortex tubes with other materials shows different performance which could be due to variation in surface roughness also. Vortex 25

tubes with higher surface roughness can have lower temperature separation. If an experiment is performed on the same copper vortex tube covered with wax insulation, the surface roughness parameter can be eliminated. By insulating the outside of the copper vortex tube with wax, the internal geometry is identical. Experiment with insulation on copper vortex tube is discussed next to test the hypothesis again.

3.2

Insulation on Copper Vortex Tube

Since surface roughness can alter the performance, insulation is provided on the outside of copper vortex tube while the internal surface is identical. The copper vortex tube is insulated as shown in Fig. 3.4. The thickness of insulation (35 mm) is selected such that the heat transfer from ambient to the periphery near inlet is reduced. Wax is chosen as an insulation material (Table. 3.1) and the whole vortex tube is covered with the wax as shown in Fig. 3.4. This is achieved by casting wax over a copper vortex tube held horizontally. The vortex chamber is also casted with wax. By insulating the whole copper vortex tube, it is expected that the performance of this insulated copper vortex tube to be closer to the PVC vortex tube. Experiments are carried with nitrogen gas at Po =6 bar.

Figure 3.4: Copper vortex tube with wax casting and covered by PVC

Conditions and details of the experiment are Po =6 bar, To =306 K, Ta =308 K, mi =20 g/s, = 0.41, Gas : Nitrogen, Inlet hi =3 mm, inlet wi =5 mm and L/D=40, dc /D=0.37, D=19 mm. 26

Figure 3.5: Performance of insulated & non-insulated copper vortex tubes and PVC vortex tube

27

It is seen from Fig. 3.5 that the performance of insulated vortex tube are closer to the PVC vortex tube. The performance of copper vortex tube without insulation is lowest. The wax insulation over the copper vortex tube reduces the heat transfer from ambient environment to vortex tube. This leads to a signicant heat transfer from core to periphery, which gives higher temperature separation.

3.3

Effect of inlet temperature, To

When the inlet temperature (To ) is raised such that the static temperature (Ts )at periphery near inlet is closer to the ambient temperature (Ta ), heat transfer from ambient to periphery near the inlet is reduced. Heat can be transferred signicantly from core to periphery. Hence, MS and PVC vortex tubes with same surface roughness should show nearly the same performance. However, heating the incoming ow is difcult at higher inlet pressures as this leads to higher mass ow rates. The size of the counter-ow heat exchanger should be increased to heat the gas at higher mass ow rate. These difculties are circumvented by maintaining lower inlet pressure of 2.5 bar (Fig. 3.6). The gas in the interior pipe of counter-ow heat exchanger is heated up by the surrounding water (95o C), supplied from constant temperature water bath. Conditions and details of the experiment are Case-1 : P=2.0 bar, To =340 K, Ta = 304 K, mi =8 g/s, = 0.4, Gas : Nitrogen, Inlet hi =3 mm, inlet wi =5 mm and L/D=40, dc /D=0.37, D=19 mm. Case-2 : Po =2.5 bar, To =305 K , Ta = 304 K, mi =8 g/s, = 0.4, Gas : Nitrogen, Inlet hi =3 mm, inlet wi =5 mm and L/D=40, dc /D=0.37, D=19 mm. Two cases are formed for analysis from the result (Fig. 3.7). Cases 1 and 2 consists of MS vortex tube and the PVC vortex tube where the temperature of incoming ow (To ) is higher than Ta and nearer to Ta . The experimental setup for case 2 is the same as in Fig. 2.1 where Po =2.5 bar. It is to be noted that Ts is calculated based on values from pressure measurements, whereas To and Ta are measured. Fig. 3.7 shows higher performance in case 1 than case 2. This is due to the static temperature of ow near inlet (Ts ) being closer to ambient temperature (Ta ) in case 1 but not in case 2. Hence, 28

2.5 bar

Nitrogen Gas Regulator 4 bar

Water Bath (95 deg C) Counterflow Heat Exchanger Pressure Temperature Mass flow rate 2 bar Mass flow rate Water RanqueHilsch Vortex Tube Temperature Temperature Water

USB Data Acquisition

Water Nitrogen Gas Bottle (150 bar) Nitrogen gas line Water line

Personal Computer

USB Data Acquisition

Figure 3.6: Schematic of experimental setup for heating the ow before the inlet of vortex tube

heat transfer from ambient environment to periphery near inlet is lower in case 1 than in case 2. Although the performance of MS and PVC vortex tubes in case 1 are nearly same, MS vortex tube show slightly lower performance than PVC vortex tube at 0.4 as exact conditions cannot be maintained (Ts =Ta ). The performance of MS and PVC vortex tubes in case 2 are not closer to each other. In case 2, the static temperature of ow near inlet (Ts ) is not close to ambient temperature (Ta ) in MS and PVC vortex tubes. Hence the heat transfer from ambient to periphery near inlet is signicant in MS vortex tube (case 2) than in a PVC vortex tube (case 2). Heat transfer from core to periphery is reduced in MS vortex tube (case 2) as compared to PVC vortex tube (case 2). Hence is higher for PVC vortex tube than MS vortex tube in case 2. From these experiments, heat transfer theory is veried and it is also observed that ambient temperature plays an important role in the temperature separation. Hence an experiment is needed to verify the effect of ambient temperature.

29

Figure 3.7: Performance of PVC & MS vortex tube at Po =2.5 bar and different inlet temperature (To )

30

3.4

Effect of wall Temperature

All the experiments detailed earlier in this section, deal with ambient temperature for the explanation of temperature separation. Hence an experiment is needed to verify the effect of ambient temperature on temperature separation. Precooled vortex tubes are used to study the effect of ambient temperature. Vortex tubes are precooled to Ta for two days in an incubator. After they are precooled to Ta , vortex tubes are taken out from incubator and experiments are performed at Po = 6 bar and nitrogen as working uid. The precooling duration and thickness of insulation on the PVC vortex tube are carefully chosen such that heat transfer from ambient to vortex tube does not affect the performance in the vortex tube, while the experiments are performed. Conditions and details of the experiment are Po =6 bar, To =301 K, mi =20 g/s, = 0.4, Gas : Nitrogen, Inlet hi =3 mm, inlet wi =5 mm and L/D=40, dc /D=0.37, D=19 mm.

Figure 3.8: Performance of precooled vortex tube for different Ta

From the Fig. 3.8, Ta = 5o C shows the highest performance among all of them. 31

Lower the Ta , better the performance. If the ambient temperature (say, Ta o C) is closer to the isentropic temperature of ow after expansion at inlet near periphery (Ta = 5o C here), the heat transfer across the wall of vortex tube from ambient to periphery near inlet is reduced. The heat transfer from core to periphery is signicant to give higher temperature separation. If Ta is lower, the temperature separation is better. All the experiments performed earlier seem to obey heat transfer theory. It is well known that the temperature separation happens between core and periphery. Although experiments on heat transfer involves between ambient environment and periphery, temperature separation is not veried betwen core and periphery and still doubt persists regarding the predominant mechanism of temperature separation. Experiments with different gases may give explanation on temperature separation from the properties such as thermal conductivity and viscosity. Hence, experiments with different working medium is discussed next.

3.5

Physical Properties of Gases


Gas Argon Hydrogen Helium Nitrogen K X 103 W/(m.K) 16.51 172.12 143.04 24.31 X 106 kg/(m.s) 21.08 8.36 18.73 16.67

Table 3.2: Different gases and their properties (Poling et al.) at 273 K Stephan et al. (1984) used helium, oxygen and air as working mediums in vortex tube and found helium giving higher performance. They attributed the reason to the lower molecular weight of gas since helium has lower molecular weight than the remaining gases. From the data of Tc of different gases, Stephan et al. (1984) formed a similarity parameter curve based on Tc which is satised for all gases. Elser and Hoch (1951) found that hydrogen gas giving higher performance among argon, methane, carbon-di-oxide and air. Martynovskii and Alekseev (1957) have performed experiments using methane, ammonia, air and carbon-di-oxide. Methane showed higher performance among them. Martynovskii and Alekseev (1957) explained that moisture in 32

air could contribute to a lower temperature separation. Although the ow is turbulent in the vortex tube, verifying the effect of physical properties of gases (Table 3.2) may give a hint in the temperature separation. Experiments are performed in PVC vortex tubes at Po = 6 bar. As different gases have different densities, the rotameters are calibrated accordingly. Conditions and details of the experiment are Po =6 bar, To =302 K, Ta = 304 K, mi =2 g/s (Hydrogen),5 g/s (Helium), 25 g/s (Argon) and 20 g/s (Nitrogen), 0.4, Inlet hi =3 mm, inlet wi =5 mm and L/D=40, dc /D=0.37, D=19 mm.

Figure 3.9: Temperature separation in PVC vortex tube for various gases

As specic heat ratio () varies for different gases, cannot be a suitable parameter for comparison. Tc is compared among different gases in Fig. 3.9. Experiments with argon shows highest temperature separation (59 K) among the other gases. Argon has higher dynamic viscosity, and thereby work transfer mechanism might be predominant. But the argon gas has lower Cp (Table 3.3), where less energy is required to cause 33

temperature change. The next higher temperature separation is obtained with hydrogen (39 K), which has higher K and higher Cp . Higher Cp indicates that higher energy is needed for temperature change. Tc with helium is 37 K and nitrogen is 36 K. Since Cp is different for argon and hydrogen, temperature separation cannot be compared between the theories of energy transfer by heat and work. Further experiments are performed where core and periphery is separated by a tube to verify the signicance of temperature separation. Gas Argon Hydrogen Helium Nitrogen K X 103 W/(m.K) Cp J/(kg.K) X 106 kg/(m.s) 16.51 519 21.08 172.12 14152 8.36 143.04 5204 18.73 24.31 1031 16.67

Table 3.3: Different gases and their properties (Poling et al.) at 273 K

3.6

Experiments with tube separating core and periphery

Scheper (1951) proposed heat transfer theory and compared vortex tube to a counterow heat exchanger. Scheper (1951) concluded that large degree of turbulence due to helical nature of ows enhances the heat transfer coefcients. Experiments are performed at Po =6 bar in which a tube is placed in the PVC vortex tube (L/D=40) near the inlet. The tube shown in Fig. 3.10 acts like a dividing stream-surface, which separates the core and periphery in the vortex tube for a certain length where temperature separation is signicant. Analogy is made between counter-ow vortex tube and counterow heat-exchanger to understand the thermal resistance between core and periphery. The thermal resistance is calculated assuming turbulent ow in the core and periphery and found to decrease when tube is introduced. This shows heat transfer is enhanced with the presence of tube. Thermal resistance without the tube is 5.54 K/W whereas thermal resistance with the tube is 3.82 K/W (PVC) and 3.22 K/W (Copper). Since thermal resistance is decreased with the presence of copper tube placed inside the vortex tube, temperature separation is expected to be higher. 34

Inlet Tubeinsert Vortex tube B Section BB

Figure 3.10: Schematic showing tube-insert placed inside the PVC vortex tube

Figure 3.11: Photograph showing tube present inside the perspex vortex tube

35

Figure 3.12: Tube present inside the perspex vortex tube when viewed from hot end

Figures 3.11 and 3.12 show copper tube placed inside the vortex tube. The length of the tube is 85 mm, which corresponds to L/D=4 of vortex tube. The vortex tube with L/D=4 shows signicant temperature separation of 28 K. The inner and outer diameter of the tube are chosen based on the studies from the literature and design of the vortex chamber inlet. From the literature Bruun (1969), Aljuwayhel et al. (2005), Frohlingsdorf and Unger (1999), Behera et al. (2008), Gao et al. (2005), Farouk and Farouk (2007), it is observed that separation of core and peripheral ows (i.e. dividing stream-surface between core and periphery) occurs at the radial location r/R=0.6-0.7 near inlet. In the present experiment, the gas is fed at inlet to the periphery of the vortex chamber. The periphery can be assumed to be radially inwards of 3 mm from the wall (as hi =3 mm). The separation of core from periphery occurs at a radius of 6.5 mm from the reference axes shown in Fig. 1.1 (hence r/R = 6.5/9.5 = 0.68). This non-dimensional value of the location of dividing stream-surface lies between the data from the literature observed i.e. 0.6<r/R<0.7. Finally the tube is selected with outer diameter of 13 mm and a minimum thickness of 0.5 mm. The tolerance limits for fabricating this tube are kept within +/-0.1 mm. Copper and PVC tubes are used in the experiments to understand the role of heat transfer in this experiment. It is to be noted that the shear work from core to periphery is intentionally eliminated when tube is placed inside. The con-

36

tribution due to work transfer can be analysed from the experiments with and without the placement of tube in the vortex tube. Flow visualization studies are performed to study the interference of oweld with the tube. Fig. 3.13 shows that streak line at the periphery is not disturbed with the presence of tube. At the cold end, tuft is placed for ow visualization and swirl in the oweld is identied.

Figure 3.13: Flow visualization with the tube present inside the perspex vortex tube

Conditions and details of experiment are as follows: Po =6.2 bar, To =304 K, Ta = 305 K, mi =20 g/s, = 0.39, Gas : Nitrogen, Inlet hi =3 mm, inlet wi =5 mm and L/D=40, dc /D=0.42, D=19 mm. Details of the tube placed inside: Outer diameter = 13 mm and Inner diameter = 12 mm and Length = 85 mm. The experiments are performed carefully with the tube and the mass ow-rate at cold and hot end exits are maintained constant as observed in a PVC vortex tube with no tube present inside. From the Fig. 3.14, the performance of PVC vortex tube with tube placed inside (6.2 K) is very lower than the performance of PVC vortex tube with-

37

Figure 3.14: Performance of vortex tubes with and without the copper and PVC tube placed inside

38

out the tube placed inside (41 K). Hence it can be understood that work transfer between core and periphery is predominant towards temperature separation. However, the performance of PVC vortex tube with the copper tube is very low (=0.05 and Tc =6.2 K) at = 0.4 whereas Tc with the PVC tube is 5.3 K. The performance of PVC vortex tube without tube is higher (=0.33 and Tc =41 K) at = 0.4. The expected result on temperature separation is very less as per heat transfer theory. Hence heat transfer from core to periphery is not more signicant at higher inlet pressures. In all the experiments performed earlier, the ow at inlet is choked. As the temperature separation is not analysed in a condition where ow is not choked at inlet, the next experiment is performed at Po =1.6 bar.

3.7

Experiments at lower inlet pressure

Experiments are performed at Po =1.6 bar, where the ow is not choked at the inlet. Pressure transducers are placed to measure the wall static pressure at various stations in the experimental setup as shown in Fig. 3.15. Station 1 refers to the settling chamber. Stations 2 and 3 are present before and after the counter-ow heat exchanger. Station 4 refers to the location where ow leaves the nozzle exit in the vortex chamber. Fig. 3.16 shows the schematic of pressure measurement through port at station 4. Two cases are considered at = 0.4 where the inlet temperature is To =298 K (case 3) and 314 K (case 4). As pressure measurements are carried out (Table. 3.4), it is known that ow is not choked at the inlet of the vortex chamber i.e. Pe /Po =1.08/1.6=0.6875 > 0.5283 (which is the critical pressure ratio for choking), eventhough Po =1.6 bar is assumed at station 3. It is to be noted that Ts is calculated based on the known values from pressure measurement. Case Case a - Pressure (bar) Case a - Temperature (K) Case b - Pressure (bar) Case b - Temperature (K) Station 1 1.6 298 1.6 298 Station 2 1.3 1.3 Station 3 1.2 298 1.2 314 Station 4 1.08 290.7(Ts ) 1.08 306.4(Ts ) Cold end 286(Tc ) 300(Tc )

Table 3.4: Experimental data for the unchoked ow at the inlet

39

Compressed Air Supply

Settling Chamber Hot Water Bath 1 T

Personal Computer

Mass flow rate 3

Mass flow rate

Cold End

4 RanqueHilsch Vortex Tube Water

Water

T Temperature Data Acquisition P Pressure Data Acquisition H Counterflow Heat Exchanger

Temperature Measurement Pressure Measurement Water line

Figure 3.15: Schematic showing the measurement of temperature and pressure when ow is not choked at the inlet of vortex chamber

Vortex Chamber Central Orifice Piece

C Pressure Port Inlet Vortex Tube

Cold End

Section CC

Figure 3.16: Schematic showing the port at station 4, where pressure is measured

40

Conditions and details of the experiment are Po =1.6 bar,To =314 K,Ta = 299 K, mi =5 g/s, = 0.38, Gas = air, Inlet hi =3 mm, inlet wi =5 mm and L/D=40, dc /D=0.42, D=19 mm.

The temperature separation is found to be 12 K for case a and 14 K in case b. The difference in temperature separation between cases a and b is due to the uncertainty in temperature measurement. Comparison is made between Tstation3 Tc and Tstation3 Ts in both the cases. Tstation3 Tc denotes the temperature separation whereas Tstation3 Ts means the difference in temperature at inlet and temperature of ow by isentropic expansion. For case b, Tstation3 Tc =14 K is higher than Tstation3 Ts = 7.6 K. Similar observation is found in case a where Tstation3 Tc =12 K and Tstation3 Ts =7.3 K. As per heat transfer theory, Tstation3 Tc cannot be greater than Tstation3 Ts to satisfy the second law of thermodynamics. Hence, explanation for the temperature separation is given only by theory of energy transfer by work.

41

CHAPTER 4

Parametric Studies

In the previous chapter, series of experiments are performed to understand the cause for temperature separation from the point of two major theories. It is understood that theory of energy transfer by work should explain the cause for temperature separation. However, the theory can be further tested by additional studies like variation of geometrical parameters of vortex tube. Floweld studies are also carried out to understand the important parameters responsible for temperature separation. Many methods like smoke, tuft and oil are tried out. However, streak line visualization using tracer method (by injecting ink before inlet) is followed in the visualization studies as other methods are found to be ineffective. Hence the experimental studies are further continued to understand the variation of geometrical parameters on temperature separation. Although many parameters are found from the literature, four main geometrical parameters are selected here for study. They are explained in the following sections.

4.1

Length of vortex tube (L)

Experiments are performed at Po =6 bar for various lengths of vortex tubes (D=19 mm) at various cold gas fractions. During these studies, the orice diameter of cold exit stream (dc ) is xed at 7 mm and the inlet of the vortex tube is convergent with aspect ratio of 0.6. The difference in performance is observed when L/D is varied from 4 to 55 as shown in Fig. 4.1. Tc between L/D=4 and L/D=40 is only 11 K for dc =7 mm and 15 K for dc =9 mm at =0.4. Tc at L/D=40 is 36 K for dc =7 mm and 43 K for dc =9 mm. From this data, it is understood that most of the temperature separation happens in the rst few lengths of vortex tube from the inlet. This is already shown by Behera et al. (2008) from their numerical studies in the vortex tube for L/D=10 and 30 at =0.74 and 0.7. However, the performance decreases for the vortex tubes beyond L/D=40 in the

present study. The reason can be due to change in oweld when the length of vortex tube is increased.

Figure 4.1: Performance of vortex tubes of different lengths with dc /D=0.47 and inlet hi /wi =0.6 at Po =6 bar and =0.4

The ow visualization experiments are performed to understand the oweld for different lengths of vortex tube. A spiral streak line is seen progressing from inlet towards the hot end in the vortex tube when ink is injected. However, the ow towards cold stream exit could not be visualized by the tracer method. The ink particles are denser than nitrogen gas and leave along the periphery at hot end. Residence time and number of helical turns need not be calculated for whole length as most of the temperature separation happens near inlet. The residence time of the ink particle is calculated by counting the frames in the video. The residence time increases, when L/D is increased. Table 4.1 shows that number of helical turns and residence time increases with temperature separation. From Fig. 4.2, it can be seen that number of helical turns inside the vortex tube increases upto L/D=40 and drops thereafter. The change in the 43

oweld from tangential to the axial motion can be noticed at L/D=44 and 55 and this could be the reason for the drop in temperature separation. As swirl strength is reduced in L/D=44 and 55, the temperature separation decreases.

Figure 4.2: Floweld experiments in vortex tubes of different lengths with dc /D=0.37 and inlet hi /wi =0.6 at Po =2 bar and =0.4

44

sl.no 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

L D 18 23 30 35 40 44 55

(s) 0.63 0.80 0.87 1.1 1.67 -

N 4 5 6 6 8 -

Tc (K) 7.8 9.3 11.0 12.9 16.3 11.1 5.3

0.15 0.17 0.21 0.24 0.30 0.21 0.10

Table 4.1: Temperature separation, residence time and number of helical ow turns by varying L/D of vortex tube with dc /D=0.37 and inlet hi /wi =0.6 at Po =2 bar and =0.4

4.2

Different inlet nozzle geometry (hi,wi)

Experimental studies are performed on different inlet aspect ratio, inlet type and inlet area. Convergent nozzles of inlet area (15mm2 ) is kept nearly same but different aspect ratio are chosen. The aspect ratio of inlet is dened as the ratio of height to width (i.e. hi /wi ) at inlet which opens at the vortex chamber. Inlets with aspect ratio of hi /wi =0.6, hi /wi =1.67 and hi /wi =4 are considered in the present study. Fig. 4.3 shows the schematic of vortex chambers where the height (hi ) and width (wi ) of inlet are mentioned. Fig. 4.4 shows that higher temperature separation is obtained with convergent nozzle of inlet aspect ratio of 0.6. Lower the inlet aspect ratio, higher the temperature separation. This is because of the increase in the dividing stream surface area between the core and peripheral control volumes. If the area of the dividing stream-surface increases, more energy can be transferred to result in higher temperature separation. Apart from convergent nozzles, convergent divergent inlets are also used. CDH and CDV refer to convergent divergent nozzles where the ow in the divergent part expands into the vortex chamber in an lateral and longitudinal fashion respectively. CDH nozzle is designed for Mach no. 1.7 with the nozzle exit aspect ratio of 0.45 (hi =3 mm,wi =6.7 mm) whereas CDV is designed for Mach no. 2 with aspect ratio of 1.0 (hi =5 mm,wi =5 mm). Although the mass ow rate is same for both the CDH and convergent nozzle with aspect ratio of 0.6, the exit velocity of the CDH nozzle is higher when compared to convergent nozzle with aspect ratio of 0.6. CDH geometry gives higher performance 45

Vortex Chamber

A Blockage Cone wi Y Inlet Z

Cold stream exit orifice

Cold End A Section AA Y X h

Vortex tube

Hot End

Figure 4.3: Vortex tube with inlet of height hi and width wi

Figure 4.4: Performance of vortex tubes with constant area inlet of different inlet aspect ratio with L/D=40, dc /D=0.37 and Po =6 bar

46

than convergent nozzle with aspect ratio of 0.6. at =0.4 varies from 0.35 for CDH to 0.27 for CDV. Due to higher swirl strength, the energy transfer is increased in CDH nozzle. As the aspect ratio of CDV is higher than CDH, lower temperature separation is observed although inlet pressure is higher.

4.2.1

Effect of inlet mass ow rate

Figure 4.5: Performance of vortex tubes for inlet of different area with L/D=39, dc /D=0.47 at Po =6 bar

Inlet area of the convergent nozzles are varied and experiments are performed at Po =6 bar. Inlet area of 9mm2 has an aspect ratio of 1 (hi /wi =1) where hi =3 mm and wi =3 mm. Other inlet nozzle with area of 15mm2 has an aspect ratio of 0.6 (hi /wi =0.6), where hi =3 mm and wi =5 mm. Another inlet with area of 30mm2 has an aspect ratio of 0.3 (hi /wi =0.3), where hi =3 mm and wi =10 mm. The nozzle with higher inlet area gives 47

higher temperature separation as shown in Fig. 4.5. Since number of uid particles are higher from larger inlet area, more energy transfer happens between more uid particles and therefore higher temperature separation is obtained.

Figure 4.6: Floweld experiments in vortex tube for various inlet congurations with L/D=40, dc /D=0.47 and Po =2 bar and =0.4

Floweld studies are conducted to visualize the oweld at periphery for different inlet geometries considered. Fig. 4.6 shows that number of helical turns is higher for inlet with hi /wi =0.6 as compared to hi /wi =1.67 and hi /wi =4. But the residence time (Table 4.2) is higher for inlet with hi /wi =4 than hi /wi =0.6 and hi /wi =1.67. It is already known that most of the temperature separation happens near inlet. Since the vortex chambers are opaque, oweld cannot be visualized near the inlet region and residence time cannot be calculated accurately. This is the reason for discrepancy in residence time among different inlets. The helical turns are closer near inlet in hi /wi =0.6 and CDH, which might be a reason for higher temperature separation. From this study, it is understood that the number of helical ow turns and closeness of helical turns near 48

inlet are important consideratons for temperature separation. sl.no 2. 4. 5. 6. 7. Inlet hi /wi =0.6 hi /wi =1.67 hi /wi =4 CDH CDV (s) 1.67 1.67 2.39 0.97 1.83 N 8 6 6 8 7 Tc (K) 16.6 10.3 6.6 16.5 9.8 0.31 0.19 0.12 0.30 0.18

Table 4.2: Temperature separation, residence time and number of helical ow turns by varying inlet congurations in vortex tube with dc /D=0.47 and L/D=40 at Po =2 bar and =0.4

4.3

Orice diameter of cold stream exit (dc)

In the previous experiments, higher temperature separation are obtained with L/D=39 and convergent inlet nozzle with aspect ratio of 0.6. Hence the same geometries are selected for studying the effect of cold stream exit orice diameter (dc ). Performance increases with dc until 0.47, and thereafter drops (Fig. 4.7) for all the cold gas fractions () considered. lower than 0.3 cannot be obtained for all dc /D, where as =0.3 can be obtained for dc /D=0.16 and 0.26. This could be due to the larger cone angle of the blockage cone present at the hot end. As dc increases from 3 mm to 9 mm, the recirculation region present in the vortex tube near the inlet tend to vanish. The recirculation region is formed due to the sudden drop in exit area as observed in an orice meter. For the mass to be conserved, ow reversal occurs. This ow reversal can deteriorate the temperature separation as uid particle gets heated up at periphery and travel back to core to which heat is transferred. Hence the core temperature is not lower due to secondary recirculation. CFD studies by Behera et al. (2005) showed the existence of secondary circulation at lower orice diameter (dc /D=0.32) and compared with dc /D=0.52 where recirculation region does not exist. Behera et al. (2008) also found that secondary circulation degrades the mechanism of temperature separation. The recirculation region might not be present at dc /D=0.47, where higher temperature separation is obtained. After dc /D=0.5, a drop 49

Figure 4.7: Performance of vortex tubes for different dc /D at =0.4 for vortex tube of L/D=40 and inlet hi /wi =0.6 at Po =6 bar

50

in temperature separation occurs due to decrease in swirl strength in the core region as compared to dc /D=0.47. As the radius of central orice increases, swirl velocity decreases for the cold end exiting uid particle in order to conserve the angular momentum. The swirl strength might be lowest with dc /D=0.68 where lowest temperature separation is obtained. Further studies are continued to nd the dependence of cold stream exit orice diameter on the length of vortex tube.

Floweld for different orice diameters are shown in Fig. 4.8. It is found that number of helical turns increases with dc /D until 0.37. After dc /D=0.47, the number of helical turns decreases. Table 4.3 shows the residence time increasing with dc /D until 0.37 and decreasing after dc /D=0.47. The ow visualization study with different cold stream exit diameters suggests that residence time and number of helical turns are important for temperature separation. The recirculation region can be present at dc /D=0.3. This might accelerate the ink particles towards the hot end and hence residence time is less. When dc /D> =0.5, the swirl strength becomes lower and thereby shear between core and periphery is reduced. Hence, ink particles at periphery move faster towards the hot end. sl.no 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 dc /D 0.16 0.26 0.37 0.42 0.45 0.47 0.5 0.58 0.68 (s) 1.13 1.5 1.67 1.67 1.67 1.67 1.27 1.3 1.17 N 7 7 8 8 8 8 7 6 6 Tc (K) 11.1 13.4 15.4 15.5 15.4 16.6 11.6 8.5 6.1 0.21 0.25 0.29 0.29 0.29 0.31 0.21 0.15 0.11

Table 4.3: Temperature separation, residence time and number of helical ow turns by varying dc /D of vortex tube with inlet hi /wi =0.6 and L/D=40 at Po =2 bar and =0.4

51

Figure 4.8: Floweld experiments in vortex tubes for different dc /D with L/D=40, inlet hi /wi =0.6 at Po =2 bar and =0.4

52

4.4

Inner diameter of vortex tube (D)

So far, the experiments are carried out on a small vortex tube (D=19 mm). The change in length of vortex tube, inlet aspect ratio and cold stream exit orice diameter leads to change in temperature separation in small vortex tube. To verify the same phenomena on bigger vortex tube, experiments are performed at D=53 mm. There is an increase in the dividing stream surface area in bigger vortex tube (D=53 mm) as compared to smaller vortex tube (D=19 mm). Hence higher temperature separation can be expected in D=53 mm. Apart from this, the scale effect in mass ow rate between small and big vortex tubes is also studied.

Experiments are performed at Po =6 bar in vortex tubes of D=19 mm and 53 mm. The inlet for vortex tube of D=19 mm is convergent with inlet aspect ratio of 0.6, where the inlet area is 15mm2 (hi =3 mm, wi =5 mm). The inlet area in bigger vortex tube has to be increased proportionately to the cross-sectional area of vortex tube. Hence, the inlet area for vortex tube of D=53 mm is 117mm2 where different aspect ratio (hi /wi =1.0,0.21) are chosen. As nitrogen gas cannot be supplied for enough time from the gas bottles, compressed and moisture free air is used from high capacity storage tanks. The compressed air enters the settling chamber at room temperature. The remaining experimental setup is same as shown in Fig. 2.1. Rotameters of higher range are calibrated and used for the measurement of mass ow rate. L/D is maintained at 18 for both vortex tubes (D=19 mm and 53 mm). Mass ow-rates at inlet are found to be 0.02 Kg/s and 0.135 Kg/s in vortex tubes of D=19 mm and 53 mm respectively. Vortex tube of D=53 mm requires nearly 7 times the mass ow-rate as required by the vortex tube of D=19 mm. Fig. 4.9 shows the improvement in performance in the bigger vortex tube at dc /D=0.5 as compared to smaller vortex tube at dc /D=0.47. Tc in vortex tube of D=53 mm increases from 40 K to 46 K as inlet aspect ratio is decreased from 1.0 to 0.21. When L/D is increased from 6 to 18 in vortex tube of D=53 mm (hi /wi =0.21), Tc increases from 33 K to 46 K. The effect of cold end orice diameter on temperature separation is also studied and shown in Fig. 4.10. Temperature separation is maximum at dc /D=0.5 for both the inlet aspect ratio in the bigger vortex tube. However, temperature separation is higher with 53

Figure 4.9: Performance of vortex tubes with dc /D=0.5 (D=53 mm),0.47 (D=19 mm) at L/D=18 and Po =6 bar

54

Figure 4.10: Performance of vortex tube (D=53 mm) at L/D=18, =0.4 and Po =6 bar by varying dc /D for two different inlet aspect ratio

55

inlet CA-5X23.5 than with CA-10.8X10.8 due to higher contact surface area for shear work to be transferred from core to periphery.

56

CHAPTER 5

Conclusion and Future Work

5.1

Conclusions

The heat transfer from ambient environment to periphery in the vortex tube affects both the heat transfer and work transfer mechanisms in the vortex tube. No explanation can be given from the experiments with different gases as specic heat at constant pressure is not same for all the gases considered. From the experiments performed with copper and PVC tubes placed inside the vortex tube, it is observed that temperature separation is very less. Hence heat transfer from core to periphery is not more signicant. The temperature separation observed from the experiments at low inlet pressure is explained only by the theory of energy transfer by work. From the experimental studies, it is found that most of the temperature separation happens near inlet. This is evident from the studies on different lengths of vortex tube. Higher temperature separation is obtained with lower inlet aspect ratio as dividing stream surface area is increased. Moreover, convergent divergent inlets increases the temperature separation as higher velocities can be obtained near the inlet with this nozzle. From convergent inlets with different area, it is found that mass ow rate is important for temperature separation. Studies on different cold stream exit orice diameter show that higher temperature separation is obtained at orice diameter of 9 mm. Recirculation regions and lower swirl strength are possible reasons for lower temperature separation when orice diameter is changed From the geometrical studies on length,inlet and cold stream exit orice diameter, the ow visualization experiments show that number of helical turns, closeness of helical turns and residence time are important for temperature separation. Number of helical turns and residence time increase with the temperature separation. Studies on scale effect between smaller and bigger vortex tubes show mass owrate in bigger vortex tube has to be increased nearly seven times as compared to the smaller vortex tube to obtain higher temperature separation. The decrease in the inlet aspect ratio in bigger vortex tube further increases the temperature separation.

5.2

Contributions

Series of experimental work in verifying the theory of temperature separation have never been carried out in the literature. Almost, all the experimental work mentioned in literature earlier deals with the measurement of pressure and temperature at various sections. But in the present experimental study, arguments based on the heat transfer between core and periphery were raised and miscellaneous issues were looked at. The aws are also identied in this present experimental work and corrected in the successive experiment. From the present work, it is clear that the theory of energy transfer by work should explain the temperature separation, which has never been proved directly in any experimental study before. The ambient temperature as one of the parameters affecting the temperature separation have never been considered so far. But in this present work, it is considered in this experimental work and shown that temperature separation improves at lower ambient temperatures. A new non-dimensional performance parameter is recommended as researchers can include the ambient temperature in the performance of vortex tube. Flow visualization experiments have also never been carried out to explain the variation of geometrical parameters (L/D, inlet congurations and dc /D) on temperature separation. From these experiments, one can understand the number of helical turns and residence time are important for temperature separation. The explanation based on the effect of L/D on temperature separation is evident from the ow visualization study. Multistaging the vortex tubes with heat exchangers can allow the gas to be cooled and liqueed. To achieve this, higher mass ow rate at inlet of rst vortex tube is needed. Experiments on the big vortex tube developed in this study can be used for testing. Bigger vortex tube can also be used to cool a bigger space in a chamber.

5.3

Future Work

From this experimental work, it is shown that increase in inlet mass ow rate leads to increase in temperature separation. Only one nozzle is used at inlet in the vortex chamber in the present study. But, the number of inlet nozzles can be increased for the same mass ow rate at inlet and temperature separation can be compared. Flow visualization experiments using tracer method can also be attempted. Different colors can be chosen to visualize the streak line from each inlet. The closeness of pitch in the helix from different ink patterns can also be compared. Studies involving the change in geometrical parameter can be performed again. The effect of cone shape (convex outwards and concave inwards) on temperature separation can be studied. In particular, the cone angle should be lowered 58

from that considered in the present study to obtain lower cold gas fraction. This could probably improve the temperature separation as many researchers observed higher temperature separation at =0.3, which cannot be reached in the present experimental work ( 0.4). Many computational studies are performed with axi-symmetric or periodic boundary conditions on a 3D sector to validate their computational uid dynamics (CFD) codes with the available experimental data. There are also controversies in choosing the turbulence model. To eliminate this controversy, studies on direct numerical simulation (DNS) can be carried out on a vortex tube with L/D=3 as remarkable temperature separation is obtained from the present experimental study. The DNS study will be less costly in computation for vortex tube of L/D=3 and could reveal the interesting phenomena in core and peripheral ows. Many turbulence models can now be compared against this DNS study. Extensive computational studies on 3D geometry should be carried out to understand the effect of cold end orice diameter (dc ), length, inlet conguration, diameter of vortex tube. The core and peripheral uid particles can be tracked and explanation can be given from the physics of the ow observed. Physical parameters like inlet pressure(Po ), inlet temperature(To ) and ambient temperature(Ta ) can also be varied and studied. The transient phenomena is observed in the experiment during an initial period of 20 seconds. This could be better understood if time accurate schemes are employed in the computational work and studied. It is known that core and periphery move in axially opposite directions in the counter-ow vortex tube. From the knowledge about the theory of temperature separation on counter-ow vortex tube, the theory should be tested on uni-ow vortex tube to verify whether the signicant temperature separation can be arrived with uni-ow vortex tube. Generally, uni-ow vortex tubes are preferred in places where compactness is required.

59

APPENDIX A

Rotameter Calibration

A.1

Uncertainty analysis of mass ow rate measurement in rotameter


m = m(w, t, Po , To )

m=

w t Pa 1 m = A( ) Po Let g =

2 P2 Pa 1 ( o )(1 ( ) ) 1 RTo Po

2 P2 Pa 1 ( o )(1 ( ) ) 1 RTo Po Pa Po
1

Let f =

m = Af

dm =

dm dm dm dm (w))2 + ( (t))2 + ( Po )2 + ( To )2 dw dt dPo dTo

1 dm = dw t w dm = dt (t)2 dm dm dg dm df = + dPo dg dPo df dPo Af dm = dg 2 g


2 2 2Po Pa 1 dg 2 Po 1 1 12 = (1 ( ) ) + ( )Pa Po dPo 1 RTo Po 1 RTo
1

dm A 1 = f 1 g df df Pa = 2 dPo Po dm Pa 1 = A( ) dTo Po Calculations: Pa = 1.1bar Po = 6.0bar J R = 287 kg.K To = 300 K = 1.4 w = 0.005 kg t = 1 s Po = 1bar To = 1K 2 Pa 1 Po To 2 (1 ( ) ) ( ) 1 Po 2 R
3

61

dm/mw=0.005 0.630442850 % 0.383439939 % 0.383335606 % 0.383299083 % 0.383282176 % 0.383272992 % 0.383267455 % 0.383263860 % 0.383261396 % 0.383259634 % 0.383258329 % 0.383257337 % 0.383256565 % 0.383255953 % 0.383255459 % 0.383255054 % 0.383254719 % 0.383254438 % 0.383254201 % 0.383253998 %

dm/mw=0.05 0.674152940 % 0.401599535 % 0.391512690 % 0.387920336 % 0.386246277 % 0.385333864 % 0.384782662 % 0.384424488 % 0.384178732 % 0.384002847 % 0.383872661 % 0.383773614 % 0.383696514 % 0.383635327 % 0.383585957 % 0.383545547 % 0.383512053 % 0.383483982 % 0.383460224 % 0.383439939 %

Duration, t (s) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

62

A.2

Calibration of rotameter
Standard reading (kg/min) 3.63 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.75 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.36 Actual reading (kg/min) 3.6000 3.2504 3.0247 2.4129 2.0323 1.7476 1.5076 0.9886 0.5298 0.3405 3.0 % 24.96 % -2.47 % 8.71 % -3.23 % 0.24 % 0.76 % 1.14 % -2.98 % 1.95 % Error

63

A.3

Sensitivity check in rotameter


Remarks 0 degrees 2.71 degrees pitch-up 4.79 degrees pitch-up 8.51 degrees pitch-up 13.36 degrees pitch-up. 1.68 degrees roll-right 2.96 degrees roll-right 5.16 degrees roll-right 8.08 degrees roll-right 2.63 degrees pitch-bottom 4.76 degrees pitch-bottom 8.75 degrees pitch-bottom 1.64 degrees roll-left 2.93 degrees roll-left 5.45 degrees roll-left 8.29 degrees roll-left Actual Reading (kg/min) 2.0 2.0 1.9 1.9 1.8 2.0 1.9 1.8 1.8 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 1.9

A.4

Mass ow rate with argon gas as test uid


Standard reading (litre/min) 100 300 500 700 900 1100 1300 1500 64 Actual reading (kg/min) 0.17 0.42 0.68 1.10 1.31 1.49 1.78 1.96

A.5

Mass ow rate with nitrogen gas as test uid


Standard reading (litre/min) 100 300 500 700 900 1100 1300 1500 Actual reading (kg/min) 0.17 0.39 0.62 0.78 0.95 1.13 1.28 1.44

A.6

Mass ow rate with helium gas as test uid


Standard reading (litre/min) 100 300 500 700 900 1100 1300 1500 Actual reading (kg/min) 0.06 0.14 0.22 0.30 0.37 0.42 0.47 0.52

65

A.7

Mass ow rate with hydrogen gas as test uid


Standard reading (litre/min) 100 300 500 700 900 1100 1300 1500 Actual reading (kg/min) 0.03 0.10 0.14 0.20 0.27 0.32 0.35 0.37

A.8

Mass ow rate with air as test uid (Rotameters used in the experimental setup on big vortex tube, D=53 mm)
Standard reading (litre/min) 1000 2000 3000 6000 9000 10500 12000 15000 Actual reading (kg/min) 1.07 2.04 2.95 5.71 8.84 10.02 11.09 13.65

The mass ow rate measurement varies from normal when rotameter is inclined more than 4 degrees from the reference mark made on the rotameter. The uncertainty analysis shows the deviation in mass ow rate measurement is less than 5 %. 66

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Curriculum Vitae
Name: Date of Birth: Educational Qualications: 2003 Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) R. Manimaran 05-06-1982

Institution: Specialization:

Coimbatore Institute of Technology Mechanical Engineering

2005

Master of Engineering (M.E.)

Institution: Specialization:

Hindustan College of Engineering Internal Combustion Engineering

Master of Science (M.S.)

Institution: Specialization: Registration date:

Indian Institute of Technology Madras Aerospace Engineering 03-08-2005

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Doctoral Committee
Chairman: P. Sriram Professor and Head Department of Aerospace Engineering

Advisors:

M. Ramakrishna Professor Department of Aerospace Engineering

P.A. Ramakrishna Assistant Professor Department of Aerospace Engineering

Members:

Harishankar Ramachandran Professor Department of Electrical Engineering

P.B. Sunil kumar Professor Department of Physics

Amit kumar Assistant Professor Department of Aerospace Engineering

H.S.N. Murthy Assistant Professor Department of Aerospace Engineering

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