EXAIR's Vortex Tubes offer a low cost, reliable, maintenance free solution to a variety of industrial spot cooling problems. Temperatures, flows and cooling power can all be adjusted to produce temperatures from -50°F to +260°F (-46° to +127°C). 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. They are constructed of wear resistant stainless steel, which is ideal for corrosive and hygienic environments. Temperatures, flows and cooling power can all be adjusted to produce temperatures from -50°F to +260°F (-46°C to +127°C).
Cold Muffler for 2 through 8 SCFM (57 - 227 SLPM) Vortex Tube, Small Size
3901
Cold Muffler for 10 through 40 SCFM (283 - 1,133 SLPM) Vortex Tube, Medium Size
3906
Cold Muffler for 50 through 150 SCFM (1,416 - 4,248 SLPM) Vortex Tube, Large Size
3903
Hot Muffler for 2 through 40 SCFM (57 - 1,133 SLPM) Vortex Tube, Small & Medium Size
3907
Hot Muffler for 50 through 150 SCFM (1,416 - 4,248 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 - 1,133 SLPM) Vortex Tube, Medium Size
3910
Generator Kit for 50 through 150 SCFM (1,416 - 4,248 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, “C” for max. cold temperature).
Example:
15-R = 15 SCFM Generator for max. refrigeration
50-C = 50 SCFM Generator for max. cold temperature
The Vortex Tube Performance Charts below give approximate temperature drops (and rises) from inlet air temperature produced by a vortex tube set at each cold fraction. Assuming no fluctuation of inlet temperature or pressure, a vortex tube will reliably maintain temperature within ±1°F.
Pressure Supply
Cold Fraction %
PSIG
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
20
62
60
56
51
44
36
28
15
25
36
50
64
83
107
40
88
85
80
73
63
52
38
21
35
52
71
92
117
147
60
104
100
93
84
73
60
46
24
40
59
80
104
132
166
80
115
110
102
92
80
66
50
25
43
63
86
113
143
180
100
123
118
110
100
86
71
54
26
45
67
90
119
151
191
120
129
124
116
104
91
74
55
26
46
69
94
123
156
195
Numbers in shaded area show temperature drop of cold air (°F).
Numbers in unshaded area show temperature rise of hot air (°F).
Pressure Supply
Cold Fraction % (METRIC)
BAR
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
1.4
34.4
33.3
31.1
28.3
24.4
20
15.6
8.3
13.9
20
28.3
35.6
46.1
59.4
2
40.9
39.6
37.1
33.8
29.2
24
18.1
9.8
16.4
24
33.3
42.6
54.6
69.5
3
50.4
48.7
45.7
41.6
36
29.7
21.9
12
19.9
29.6
40.3
52.3
66.5
83.5
4
56.9
54.7
50.9
46.1
40
32.9
25.1
13.2
21.9
32.4
43.9
57.1
72.5
91.2
5
61.6
59
54.8
49.4
43
35.4
26.9
13.7
23.3
34.2
46.5
60.9
77.2
97.1
6
65.4
62.7
58.2
52.7
45.6
37.6
28.6
14.1
24.3
35.8
48.6
63.9
81
102.1
7
68.6
65.8
61.4
55.7
48
39.6
30
14.4
25.1
37.3
50.2
66.3
84.2
106.3
8
71.1
68.2
63.8
57.3
50
40.8
30.4
14.4
25.4
38.1
51.8
67.9
86.1
107.9
Numbers in shaded area show temperature drop of cold air (°C).
Numbers in unshaded area show temperature rise of hot air (°C).
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).
3200 series Vortex Tubes optimize temperature drop and airflow to produce maximum cooling power or Btu/hr. (Watts). Specify 3200 series Vortex Tubes for most general cooling applications.
Model #
SCFM*
SLPM*
Btu/hr.**
Watts**
Size
dBA***
3202
2
57
135
40
Small
68
3204
4
113
275
80
Small
70
3208
8
227
550
162
Small
76
3210
10
283
650
191
Medium
80
3215
15
425
1,000
293
Medium
81
3225
25
708
1,700
498
Medium
82
3230
30
850
2,000
586
Medium
84
3240
40
1,133
2,800
821
Medium
88
3250
50
1,416
3,400
997
Large
94
3275
75
2,124
5,100
1,494
Large
96
3298
100
2,832
6,800
1,993
Large
96
3299
150
4,248
10,200
2,989
Large
97
* SCFM (SLPM) at 100 PSIG (6.9 BAR) Inlet Pressure
** Btu/hr. (Watts) Cooling Capacity at 100 PSIG (6.9 BAR)
*** Noise levels taken with hot and cold mufflers installed.
3400 Series Vortex Tube Specifications
3400 series Vortex Tubes provide lowest cold air temperatures, but at low cold airflow (when less than a 50% cold fraction is used). Specify 3400 series Vortex Tubes only where temperatures below 0° (-18°C) are desired.
Model #
SCFM*
SLPM*
Btu/hr.**
Watts**
Size
dBA***
3402
2
57
--------
--------
Small
67
3404
4
113
--------
--------
Small
69
3408
8
227
--------
--------
Small
75
3410
10
283
--------
--------
Medium
78
3415
15
425
--------
--------
Medium
80
3425
25
708
--------
--------
Medium
82
3430
30
850
--------
--------
Medium
84
3440
40
1,133
--------
--------
Medium
87
3450
50
1,416
--------
--------
Large
93
3475
75
2,124
--------
--------
Large
96
3498
100
2,832
--------
--------
Large
96
3499
150
4,248
--------
--------
Large
96
* SCFM (SLPM) at 100 PSIG (6.9 BAR) Inlet Pressure
** Not Applicable. 3400 series Vortex Tubes are not normally used in air conditioning applications.
***Noise levels taken with hot and cold mufflers installed.
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.
Over the years, the basic vortex tube has been used in virtually hundreds of industrial cooling applications. A few have become so popular as to warrant the development of an “applied product” designed to suit the specific application. These products include the Adjustable Spot Cooler, Mini Cooler, Cold Gun and Cabinet Coolers.
High Temperatures
High temperature vortex tubes for ambient temperatures up to 200°F (93°C) are available. Standard vortex tubes are for ambient temperatures up to 125°F (52°C). Contact an Application Engineer at 1-800-903-9247 for more details.
Preset Vortex Tubes
EXAIR can provide vortex tubes preset to any combination of flow and temperature desired. To prevent tampering with the desired setting, a drilled orifice that replaces the adjustable hot valve is available. For more information, please contact an Application Engineer.
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. (Watts) requirements, or flow and temperature requirements are known, simply select the appropriate vortex tube according to the specification information on the Specifications table or the Performance charts shown in SPECIFICATIONS above.
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 1,133 SLPM).
