Title: Entropy and exergy analysis of a Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube with two vortex chambers

Authors: Farid Sepehrianazar; Shahram Khalilarya

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Urmia University of Technology, Urmia, West Azerbaijan, Iran ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Urmia University, Urmia, West Azerbaijan, Iran

Abstract: In this paper, entropy and exergy of a vortex tube with two vortex chambers is studied. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of a three-dimensional, steady state, compressible and turbulent flow is carried out through a vortex tube. The standard k-ε turbulence model is used to analyse highly rotating complex flow field. The entropy, inlet and outlet exergies, destruction of exergy and exergy efficiency are studied. Results show that for different inlet pressures, there is an optimum distance for placing second chamber to have maximum exergy efficiency. Placing second chamber at the axial interval of Z = 1.5-5 mm leads to have minimum cold temperature, maximum hot temperature and maximum exergy efficiency, in comparison with one chamber.

Keywords: vortex tubes; vortex chambers; CFD; computational fluid dynamics; entropy analysis; exergy analysis; exergy efficiency; temperature separation; optimum distance; turbulent flow; compressible flow; turbulence modelling; rotating flow; complex flow; exergy destruction; inlet pressure.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2016.074267

International Journal of Exergy, 2016 Vol.19 No.1, pp.55 - 77

Received: 03 Jun 2014
Accepted: 02 Feb 2015
Published online: 20 Jan 2016 *

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