Vortex Tube

[IronHorse]

Well this is not about engines, but I found these plans a while ago and knew I would build it some day, It is so interesting.

Something that you inject compressed air into and out one end comes cold air and hot out of the other, has to be investigated

Here is a link to the story and plans: http://www.visi.com/~darus/hilsch/

There are some practical uses for these like cooling cutting bits and cabinets: http://www.airtxinternational.com/how_vortex_tubes_work.php

I have done some tests on it and it does work. It certainly won't freeze mercury or cook my breakfast ( as the article states). The cold pipe is cold to the touch and warm for the hot pipe. I have to do some experiments with different hole sizes in the washer next.

Here are some pictures:

The cold end

The hot end with adjusting valve

All the parts before assembly

The Spiral. This was the tricky part, I pierced it out with a jewellery saw and finished it up with a file.

This shows the washer on the spiral chamber

On to the next project.

IronHorse

 

[chuck foster]

very interesting and thanks for the link

chuck

 

[tel]

Same here - that will have to go on my 'future projects' list

 

[BobWarfield]

Very cool!

I actually have a couple of commercial vortex tubes I got for cheap on eBay. They are fascinating. The biggest problem trying to use one for something like end mill cooling is that they consume air like crazy.

But they do get extremely cold!

Best,

BW

 

[putputman]

There must be one hell of a big one up in the sky with the hot end pointed toward Australia & the cold end toward Minnesota. :big: :big: :big:

 

[tel]

There must be one hell of a big one up in the sky with the hot end pointed toward Australia & the cold end toward Minnesota. :big: :big: :big:

You got that right

 

[Noitoen]

There must be one hell of a big one up in the sky with the hot end pointed toward Australia & the cold end toward Minnesota. :big: :big: :big:

I wonder where they have the compressor : :hDe:

 

[tel]

... off to the left a bit