Numerical simulation on separation performance of vortex tube applied to gas residual pressure recovery

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2025

Authors

Mao, YQ (Author) Other; Cai, L (Author) Other; Chertovskih, R (Author) FEUP; Liu, B (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering

Vol. 47

ISSN: 1678-5878

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-01A-6H0

DOI: 10.1007/s40430-025-05967-2

Abstract (EN): Saving energy can mitigate resource shortages, reduce environmental pollution, foster sustainable development, and ensure energy security. This paper introduces a novel thermal separation system using a combined vortex tube to reduce gas pressure energy loss by converting it into cold and heat energy, fulfilling the energy needs of gas power plants. Compressed air is used as an alternative working fluid to study the temperature distribution within a vortex tube under different cold flow ratios, using an infrared thermal imaging camera. Simulation methods evaluate the thermal separation performance, flow field distribution, and heating and cooling capacities of vortex tubes in high-pressure conditions. The results indicate that the rotational speed and radius of the fluid within the tube have a significant impact on the thermal separation efficiency of the vortex tube. Increasing the inlet width and nozzle number while decreasing the vortex chamber diameter can boost the fluid's rotational speed, enhancing thermal separation capacity. Reducing the diameter of the hot-end tube and employing a gradually tapered design can decrease the rotation radius, thereby improving heating capacity. The optimized vortex tube features an inlet angle of 90 degrees, an inlet width of 1.2 mm, a chamber diameter of 10 mm, and a hot-end diameter of 9 mm. The simulation results indicate a peak temperature increase of 26.5 K at the hot end during pressure recovery, a peak temperature decrease of 6.3 K at the cold end, a maximum heating capacity of 498 W, and a maximum cooling capacity of 654 W. This research enhances the vortex tube's processing capacity, widens the temperature difference between its hot and cold ends, and boosts both cooling and heating capabilities.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 23