I recently took a call from a customer who was interested in using a Vortex Tube to cool his electronic controller but was unsure which model to use since the controller can reach different temperatures and heat loads during their manufacturing operation. We typically would recommend a Cabinet Cooler System for this type of application but the customer wasn’t able to mount the unit directly to the controller, so I recommended using our Model # 3930 Cooling Kit.
The Model # 3930 Cooling Kit includes our medium size Vortex Tube and all the generators, cold muffler, fitting, tubing and clips to duct the cold air and a filter separator for the supply line. The generator will determine the flow rate, cooling capacity (Btu/hr.) and air consumption of the Vortex Tube during operation. The temperature drop of the Vortex Tube can be controlled by adjusting the valve in the hot end to change the cold fraction (the percentage of air being exhausted out of the cold end versus the amount of air being exhausted out of the hot end).
As you can see in the above chart, operating at 80 PSIG supply pressure and having the cold fraction set at 20%, you would see a temperature drop of 115°F from supply temperature. Conversely, if you have the cold fraction set at 80%, you would see a temperature drop of 50°F from supply temperature. Different generators change to total volume of air through the Vortex Tube. A medium cooling kit contains generator sizes 15, 25, 30 and 40. These generators equate to Btu/Hr values of 1000, 1700, 2000 and 2800. The versatility of the medium Vortex Tube cooling kit allows customers to determine what volume of air, in combination with the cold fraction, will best suit the application. To change the generator you simply remove the cold cap and o-ring.
By ordering the Cooling Kit, the customer could change out the generator to provide more or less cooling capacity and airflow, while still allowing for easy adjustment of the cold fraction % via the hot end valve.
If you have a similar application, contact an application engineer for assistance.
Justin Nicholl
Application Engineer
justinnicholl@exair.com
@EXAIR_JN