Three-Dimensional Numerical Investigation of Effect of Convergent Nozzles on the Energy Separation in a Vortex Tube

Three-Dimensional Numerical Investigation of Effect of Convergent Nozzles on the Energy Separation in a Vortex Tube

N.Pourmahmoud A.Hassanzadeh S. E. Rafiee M. Rahimi 

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kermanshah Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah, Iran

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Urmia University of Technology, Urmia, Iran

Page: 
133-140
|
DOI: 
https://doi.org/10.18280/ijht.300219
Received: 
N/A
| |
Accepted: 
N/A
| | Citation

OPEN ACCESS

Abstract: 

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) investigation has been conducted to realize the effect of convergent nozzles on the cooling capacity enhancement of vortex tube. The CFD models have involved turbulent, compressible and axisymmetric swirling flow utilizing the standard k-ε turbulence model. The studied vortex tube has been equipped with the six convergent nozzles. Convergence angle of applied nozzles showed a significant role in achieving to the highest degree of refrigeration, such that the maximum possible amount of cold temperature difference is provided at the angle of 8° (degree respect to nozzle entrance). Therefore, to be presented numerical results include of performance curves, temperature separation rate and particularly swirling flow angular velocity as an important criterion represent a reasonable justification. Finally, obtained results particularly temperature differences are compared with some of the available experimental data which show good agreement.

Keywords: 

vortex tube, divergent nozzles, numerical simulation, temperature separation

1. Introduction
2. Schematic of the Problem Geometry
3. Governing Equations
4. Results and Discussion
5. Conclusions
  References

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