Experimental Investigation on the Effect of Orifice Diameter and Inlet Pressure to the Ranque-Hilsch Vortex Tube Performance

Abstract

In this experiment, the cold mass fraction, cold temperature difference and isentropic efficiency of Ranque-Hilsch Vortex Tube were investigated and measured. Three different inlet pressures (absolute) (296633 Pa, 394699.5 Pa and 492766 Pa) and 2 type of orifice diameter (4 mm and 5 mm) were used. 5 mm orifice gives higher value of cold mass fraction (μc = 0.7067) compare to 4 mm orifice (μc = 0.3264). It is also no significant effect in cold mass fraction by changing three difference inlet pressures. 4 mm orifice has higher cold temperature difference (ΔTc = 18°C) compare to 5 mm orifice (ΔTc = 8°C) at highest inlet pressure (492766 Pa) that were used. 4 mm orifice has higher isentropic efficiency (ηisen=0.17545) compare to 5 mm orifice (ηisen=0.0834). For both orifices, the highest isentropic efficiency was obtained when the lowest inlet pressure (296633 Pa) were applied.