A vortex tube is a device that separates compressed air into hot and cold streams without using any moving parts. Invented by French physicist Georges Ranque in 1931, a vortex tube uses only the properties of compressed air and geometry to create a temperature differential. Cold air can reach temperatures as low as -50°C, and the hot air can be as warm as 200°C, depending on the setup and input pressure. Useful in applications where compact, simple, and maintenance-free cooling is needed, they’re the ideal solution for cabinet and enclosure cooling, cutting tool cooling and situations fans or blowers are impractical, just to name a few.
How a Vortex Tube Works
A vortex tube works by injecting compressed air tangentially into a cylindrical chamber, creating a high-speed spinning vortex. The outer part of the vortex moves toward the hot outlet, gaining heat through friction, while the inner vortex spirals back to the center and exits through the cold outlet, losing heat as it expands.
By adjusting the valve at the hot end, users can control the proportion of air exiting from the hot or cold outlets, resulting in a separation of hot and cold air streams with no moving parts, no power source and no refrigerants.
Avoiding Over-Heating Enclosures
High temperatures inside control panels can be damaging to equipment and lead to unplanned shutdown of operations. For a South Australian large-scale bakery, Pneutech provided a custom cooling solution that utilises the Nex Flow® Frigid-X® Panel Coolers range to efficiently reduce cabinet temperature to a range that’s safe for the electronic components within.
The ensure optimal performance and longevity, the inbound air is filtered using either Master Pneumatic or Expel Air Filters, ensuring no moisture or debris disrupts operation. Switching is effectively managed by the ever-reliable Mac Control Valve, while all tubing and connectors are provided by Pisco Japan.
Setting the cooling systems to be triggered by thermostat is the most efficient way to use vortex tube technology, as the process can require quite a lot of compressed air. As such, it becomes important to only run the system when the temperature/conditions call for it, thereby minimising air and energy usage. Setup with this method ensures cabinet cooling is efficient, very low-maintenance and long lasting.
Nex Flow® Frigid-X® Panel Coolers are usually installed on top of electrical and electronic cabinets, allowing cold air to flow downward and displace rising hot air, through the a vent pathway that is integrated into the cabinet cooler body itself. This in-turn, negates any need for vents/grills/external fans etc that can provide pathway for ingress of dust and moisture; these being is enemy #1 when it comes to control and electrical enclosures. In cases where space at the top of the cabinet is limited, an optional Side Mount Kit can be used (it is important to mount the Frigid-X® Panel Cooler vertically, whether positioned at the top or on the side of the enclosure).
A low cost, reliable, maintenance-free solution for cooling
If you’re looking to ensure cabinets and enclosures stay within safe operating temperature. If you need to cool hot melt adhesives quickly. If you need to cool down heat generating tools rapidly, then the use of a Vortex Tube’s magic might just be the solution you’ve been looking for.
Publication Date: Mon 21 Oct 2024
Author: Pneutech Marketing