Title: 3D CFD modelling and exergy loss minimisation within a high-pressure vortex tube

Authors: Abbas Aghagoli; Mikhail Sorin

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada

Abstract: In the present study, 3D CFD simulation of a vortex tube at high operating pressure is investigated. The impact of inlet pressure and cold mass fraction is investigated in terms of the exergy losses within the vortex tube. The results show that the minimum exergy losses occur at cold mass fraction equals 0.5, meanwhile, the exergy efficiency achieves its maximum at cold mass fraction equals 0.9. It is illustrated that friction has a major impact on entropy generation rate near the wall and at the centre of the vortex tube.

Keywords: entropy generation rate; vortex tube; exergy loss; CFD.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2022.122080

International Journal of Exergy, 2022 Vol.37 No.4, pp.444 - 458

Received: 03 Nov 2020
Accepted: 06 Jul 2021
Published online: 08 Apr 2022 *

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