Cold air to -50°F (-46°C) from your compressed air supply – with no moving parts! What Is A Vortex Tube?
A low cost, reliable, maintenance free solution to a variety of industrial spot cooling problems. Using an ordinary supply of compressed air as a power source, vortex tubes create two streams of air, one hot and one cold, with no moving parts. Vortex tubes can produce:
Temperatures from -50° to +260°F (-46° to +127°C)
Flow rates from 1 to 150 SCFM (28 to 4248 SLPM)
Refrigeration up to 10,200 Btu/hr. (2571 Kcal/hr.)
Temperatures, flows and refrigeration are adjustable over a wide range using the control valve on the hot end exhaust.
Why EXAIR Vortex Tubes?
EXAIR Vortex Tubes are constructed of stainless steel. The wear resistance of stainless steel, as well as its resistance to corrosion and oxidation, assures that EXAIR Vortex Tubes will provide years of reliable, maintenance-free operation.
A Model 3215 Vortex Tube cools a die
on a medical tube forming machine.
4 Model 3250 Vortex Tubes cool the
cutting knives in this pelletizer to prevent
irregular shapes.
A Model 3215 Vortex Tube cools a die
on a medical tube forming machine.
Controlling Temperature and Flow in a Vortex Tube
Cold airflow and temperature are easily controlled by adjusting the slotted valve in the hot air outlet. Opening the valve reduces the cold airflow and the cold air temperature. Closing the valve increases the cold airflow and the cold air temperature. The percentage of air directed to the cold outlet of the vortex tube is called the “cold fraction”. In most applications, a cold fraction of 80% produces a combination of cold flow rate and temperature drop that maximizes refrigeration, or Btu/hr. (Kcal/hr.) output of a vortex tube. While low cold fractions (less than 50%) produce lowest temperatures, cold airflow rate is sacrificed to achieve them.
Most industrial applications, i.e., process cooling, part cooling, chamber cooling, require maximum refrigeration and utilize the 3200 series Vortex Tube. Certain “cryogenic” applications, i.e., cooling lab samples, circuit testing, are best served by the 3400 series Vortex Tube.
Setting a vortex tube is easy. Simply insert a thermometer in the cold air exhaust and set the temperature by adjusting the valve at the hot end. Maximum refrigeration (80% cold fraction) is achieved when cold air temperature is 50°F (28°C) below compressed air temperature. Other Factors Back Pressure:
The performance of a vortex tube deteriorates with back pressure on the cold air exhaust. Low back pressure, up to 2 PSIG (.1 BAR), will not change performance. 5 PSIG (.3 BAR) will change performance by approximately 5°F (2.8°C).
Filtration:
The use of clean air is essential, and filtration of 25 microns or less is recommended. EXAIR filters contain a five micron element and are properly sized for flow.
Inlet Air Temperature:
A vortex tube provides a temperature drop from supply air temperature (see Performance Charts above). Elevated inlet temperatures will produce a corresponding rise in cold air temperatures.
Noise Muffling:
EXAIR offers mufflers for both the hot and cold air discharge. Normally, muffling is not required if the cold air is ducted
Regulation:
For best performance, use line pressures of 80 to 110 PSIG (5.5 to 7.6 BAR). Maximum pressure rating is 250 PSIG (17.2 BAR), minimum 20 PSIG (1.4 BAR).
If you are unsure of your flow and temperature requirements, we recommend the purchase of an EXAIR Cooling Kit. It contains a vortex tube, cold air muffler, air line filter and all generators required to experiment with the full range of airflows and temperatures.
How the Vortex Tube Works
Compressed air, normally 80-100 PSIG (5.5 – 6.9 BAR), is ejected tangentially through a generator into the vortex spin chamber. At up to 1,000,000 RPM, this air stream revolves toward the hot end where some escapes through the control valve. The remaining air, still spinning, is forced back through the center of this outer vortex. The inner stream gives off kinetic energy in the form of heat to the outer stream and exits the vortex tube as cold air. The outer stream exits the opposite end as hot air.
Applications
Cooling electronic controls
Cooling machining operations
Cooling CCTV cameras
Setting hot melts
Cooling soldered parts
Cooling gas samples
Electronic component cooling
Cooling heat seals
Cooling environmental chambers
Advantages
No moving parts
No electricity or chemicals
Small, lightweight
Low cost
Maintenance free
Instant cold air
Durable – stainless steel
Adjustable temperature
Interchangeable generators
A 1/4 ton of refrigeration in the palm of
your hand!
Dimensions
Small Vortex Tube Dimensions
Small Vortex Tube with muffler Dimensions
Medium Vortex Tube Dimensions
Medium Vortex Tube with muffler Dimensions
Large Vortex Tube Dimensions
Large Vortex Tube with muffler Dimensions
Specifications
EXAIR Vortex Tubes are available in three sizes. Each size can produce a number of flow rates, as determined by a small internal part called a generator. If Btu/hr. (Kcal/hr.) requirements, or flow and temperature requirements are known, simply select the appropriate vortex tube according to the specification information shown below or the performance charts. Keep in mind that the vortex generators are interchangeable. If, for example, a Model 3215 Vortex Tube does not provide sufficient cooling, you need only change generators within the vortex tube to upgrade the flow rate from 15 to 25, 30 or 40 SCFM (425 to 708, 850 or 1133 SLPM).
3200 Series Vortex Tube Specifications
3200 series Vortex Tubes optimize temperature drop and airflow to produce maximum cooling power or Btu/hr. (Kcal/hr.). Specify 3200 series Vortex Tubes for most general cooling applications.
3400 series Vortex Tubes optimize temperature drop and airflow to produce maximum cooling power or Btu/hr. (Kcal/hr.). Specify 3400 series Vortex Tubes for most general cooling applications.
Model
SCFM*
SLPM*
Btu/hr.**
Kcal/hr.**
Size
3402
2
57
——–
——–
Small
3404
4
113
——–
——–
Small
3408
8
227
——–
——–
Small
3410
10
283
——–
——–
Medium
3415
15
425
——–
——–
Medium
3425
25
708
——–
——–
Medium
3430
30
850
——–
——–
Medium
3440
40
1133
——–
——–
Medium
3450
50
1416
——–
——–
Large
3475
75
2124
——–
——–
Large
3498
100
2834
——–
——–
Large
3499
150
4248
——–
——–
Large
* SCFM respectively SLPM at 100 PSIG (6.9 Bar) Inlet Pressure
** Not Applicable. 3400 series Vortex Tubes are not normally used in air conditioning applications. Temperature Change Produced by Vortex Tubes
Pressure Supply
Change in Temp
Cold Fraction %
PSIG
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
20
Drop °F
62
60
56
51
44
36
28
Rise °F
15
25
36
50
64
83
107
40
Drop °F
88
85
80
73
63
52
38
Rise °F
21
35
52
71
92
117
147
60
Drop °F
104
100
93
84
73
60
46
Rise °F
24
40
59
80
104
132
166
80
Drop °F
115
110
102
92
80
66
50
Rise °F
25
43
63
86
113
143
180
100
Drop °F
123
118
110
100
86
71
54
Rise °F
26
45
67
90
119
151
191
120
Drop °F
129
124
116
104
91
74
55
Rise °F
26
46
69
94
123
156
195
Temperature Change Produced by Vortex Tubes (Metric)
Pressure Supply
Change in Temp
Cold Fraction %
BAR
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
1,4
Drop °C
34,4
33,3
31,1
28,3
24,4
20
15,6
Rise °C
8,3
13,9
20
28,3
35,6
46,1
59,4
2
Drop °C
40,9
39,6
37,1
33,8
29,2
24
18,1
Rise °C
9,8
16,4
24
33,3
42,6
54,6
69,5
3
Drop °C
50,4
48,7
45,7
41,6
36
29,7
21,9
Rise °C
12
19,9
29,6
40,3
52,3
66,5
83,5
4
Drop °C
56,9
54,7
50,9
46,1
40
32,9
25,1
Rise °C
13,2
21,9
32,4
43,9
57,1
72,5
91,2
5
Drop °C
61,6
59
54,8
49,4
43
35,4
26,9
Rise °C
13,7
23,3
34,2
46,5
60,9
77,2
97,1
6
Drop °C
65,4
62,7
58,2
52,7
45,6
37,6
28,6
Rise °C
14,1
24,3
35,8
48,6
63,9
81
102,1
7
Drop °C
68,6
65,8
61,4
55,7
48
39,6
30
Rise °C
14,4
25,1
37,3
50,2
66,3
84,2
106,3
8
Drop °C
71,1
68,2
63,8
57,3
50
40,8
30,4
Rise °C
14,4
25,4
38,1
51,8
67,9
86,1
107,9
EXAIR Cooling Kits
EXAIR Cooling Kits include a vortex tube, all generators, cold muffler, fitting, tubing and clips to duct cold, and filter separator
Model
Description
3908J
Cooling Kit up to 550 Btu/hr. (139 Kcal/hr.), Small Size
3930J
Cooling Kit up to 2800 Btu/hr. (706 Kcal/hr.), Medium Size
3998J
Cooling Kit up to 10,200 Btu/hr. (2570 Kcal/hr.), Large Size
Vortex Tube, 2 SCFM (57 SLPM), for maximum cold temperature, Small Size
3404
Vortex Tube, 4 SCFM (113 SLPM), for maximum cold temperature, Small Size
3408
Vortex Tube, 8 SCFM (227 SLPM), for maximum cold temperature, Small Size
3410
Vortex Tube, 10 SCFM (283 SLPM), for maximum cold temperature, Medium Size
3415
Vortex Tube, 15 SCFM (425 SLPM), for maximum cold temperature, Medium Size
3425
Vortex Tube, 25 SCFM (708 SLPM), for maximum cold temperature, Medium Size
3430
Vortex Tube, 30 SCFM (850 SLPM), for maximum cold temperature, Medium Size
3440
Vortex Tube, 40 SCFM (1133 SLPM), for maximum cold temperature, Medium Size
3450
Vortex Tube, 50 SCFM (1416 SLPM), for maximum cold temperature, Large Size
3475
Vortex Tube, 75 SCFM (2124 SLPM), for maximum cold temperature, Large Size
3498
Vortex Tube, 100 SCFM (2832 SLPM), for maximum cold temperature, Large Size
3499
Vortex Tube, 150 SCFM (4248 SLPM), for maximum cold temperature, Large Size
Accessories and Components
Model
Description
3905
Cold Muffler for 2 through 8 SCFM (57-227 SLPM) Vortex Tube, Small Size
3901
Cold Muffler for 10 through 40 SCFM (283-1133 SLPM) Vortex Tube, Medium Size
3906
Cold Muffler for 50 through 150 SCFM (1416-4248 SLPM) Vortex Tube, Large Size
3903
Hot Muffler for 2 through 40 SCFM (57-1133 SLPM) Vortex Tube, Small/Medium Size
3907
Hot Muffler for 50 through 150 SCFM (1416-4248 SLPM) Vortex Tube, Large Size
3909
Generator Kit for 2 through 8 SCFM (57-227 SLPM) Vortex Tube, Small Size
3902
Generator Kit for 10 through 40 SCFM (283-1133 SLPM) Vortex Tube, Medium Sizee
3910
Generator Kit for 50 through 150 SCFM (1416-4248 SLPM) Vortex Tube, Large Size
Generator Kits ordered with a vortex tube include all generators for the specified tube. Permits setting the vortex tube for all capacities and styles.
Generator Only — Specify capacity (SCFM) and style (“R” for max. refrigeration or “C” for max. cold temperature). Example: 15-R = 15 SCFM Generator for max. refrigeration
50-C = 50 SCFM Generator for max. cold temperature
