How Do Vortex Tube Cabinet Coolers Work?

Cool down with the power of science! Our latest video reveals the mind-blowing secrets behind vortex tube cabinet coolers. ❄️🔬 Get ready to be amazed as we break down the science of cooling technology. 🌡️💡
#vortextubes #cabinetcoolers #coolingsolutions #airnozzles #compressedair #cooling #electricalcabinetcooling

[@amdadulislam1847]

Thanks for the information 👍

[@michaelenzweiler2319]

I have to wonder how much of the temperature reduction is simply from compressed air expanding. You compress air and it gives off some of its heat - that's why a compressor tank gets hot as you compress air into it. Release the compressed air and suddenly its capacity to take on heat increases, i.e. it pulls heat energy from whatever it touches, making it colder. As for the tube itself, this video calls it a 'heat exchanger', but I think it can be explained better than that. I suspect that for it to work, the central flow of air must be compressed by the outer flow of air. It's like the outer air is a pipe and the central air moving down it in the opposite direction must compress to get through the tight space available. As the central flow compresses, it gives up more heat, which is swept away in the opposite direction by the less compressed outer air. Also, I notice a lot of the videos out there on vortex tubes make statements like 'no moving parts' and 'no internal power source', which I feel is a bit misleading. You really do have to include the compressor when talking about how this all works, but they all seem to want to avoid this as it makes the end product seem somehow 'magical'. Without an electric compressor for this even to work. Even if your source is a tank of compressed air with no compressor attached, at some point that air was compressed by a compressor running on electricity.

[@johnchiz54]

yes, they really have abysmal COP due to the electricity used to run the pump. one thing you are neglecting is hot air thrown to the outside of the vortex using centrifugal force due to its density the big benefit is no refrigerant, extreme Delta T, and a compact end nozzle compared to traditional HVAC expansion coils.
I do like your point about "no moving parts" because aside from a fan, the evaporation coils of a traditional HVAC also has no moving parts and is connected to a compressor on the other side

[@pfeng8543]

John, what does COP refer to? Not familiar with that acronym and appreciate help with its meaning. Michael, thank you for the elaboration. From a thermo standpoint, I am trying to wrap my head around the concept for this device. I agree that calling it a "heat exchanger" may not be the best analogy because everything I've learned and have dealt with tells me this device would violate thermo laws if it were a heat exchanger and is tripping me up (delta T, cold to hot heat transfer?). Maybe I need to review my refrigeration cycles but I think you are on to it with a more accurate description from a thermodynamic and fluid mechanic standpoint. Thanks for your comment. Air Nozzle People; thank you for posting this video to help me on my way to understanding the working principles.

[@evilreligion]

The "no moving parts" and "no internal power sources" are important to state because it differentiates the vortex tube from chillers and other types of cooler. In a factory setting installing a new chiller unit to provide additional cooling means you need to install something quite bulky and then run electrics to it. This equipment then requires maintenance and you will need to consider things like whether it's in dirty environment or needs to be washed down.
Most factories will have air lines already there so all you need to do is put in a vortex tube and hook it up to an existing air line. Because there are no moving parts there is no additional maintenance burden and because there is no electricity required you don't need to worry about getting power to it where there might be, for example, water sloshing around. Air powered applications are quite inefficient in terms of energy but they have the distinct advantage of not needing to worry about electricity in a wet environment. This is one reason why many factories have air powered systems. The compressor can be located away from any water or grime that might mess it up and then the air is piped to where it is needed. Local water, dust, grease and all the other things that mess up electrically powered systems are not really a worry with air powered systems. So the inherent inefficiency of air is overcome by the fact that its just a far more usable power source in many practical situation.
All this makes vortex tubes really easy to install in retrofit situations. That's why it's important to make this distinction.

[@CodEnrico]

Wow, cool explanation. Is it possible to cool 1,5l water with a Vortex tube? Let's say from 40C° to 5C° or 0C° and if, how long would it take?

[@thespraynozzlepeople6508]

Water and other liquids don't behave in the same way and so won't separate like this. So you can't stick water through a vortex tube.
You could air cool the water by bubbling the cold air through the water or blowing it over the surface. Large vortex tubes can provide about 3kw of cooling. So by blowing air over or through 40 degree water you could get 1.5 litres down by 35 degrees in about 73.5 seconds assuming complete heat exchange. So in reality it would probably take a couple of minutes. A vortex tube of that size uses about 4 Nm3 of air at 7 bar air pressure, so you will need about 8 Nm3 of air to do that. Its not going to be the most energy efficient way to cool water but it could be done.