Numerical Analysis of Temperature Separation and Exergy Analysis of a Dual-Inlet Section Convergent Vortex Tube

Abstract

The present study deals with the optimization of a counter flow vortex tube with a straight single intake section, straight dual intake section, and convergent dual intake section vortex tube model for different physical and flow parameters. The effect of variation of convergent angles (θ), intake pressures, and a number of inlet sections on the flow separation has been analyzed in the present study. ANSYS FLUENT software has been used to simulate flow considering air as a working fluid. Moreover, some physical and flow parameters such as intake pressure, cold temperature gradient (ΔTc), pressure loss ratio, cold mass fraction, and hot temperature gradient (ΔTh) have been studied to optimize the vortex tube. The coefficient of performance has been compared for various convergent angles from 1 deg to 5 deg. The result has been validated by the experimental and numerical studies performed previously. Moreover, the exergy analysis has also been conducted for the convergent dual intake vortex tube for various convergent angles, cold mass fraction, and intake pressure. The study concludes that the convergent vortex tube having a dual inlet section, 5-deg angle shows the optimized result for all the mass fraction and intake pressure, compared to a straight single intake section and straight dual intake vortex tube.