Numerical analysis on the heat and work transfer due to shear in a hot cascade Ranque–Hilsch vortex tube

Cascading of vortex tubes is a possible implementation to extract significantly larger amount of useful work. A hot cascade-type RHVT makes use of the cold gas for cooling purposes while improving the heating capacity of the hot gas. In a vortex tube inflow pressure is the only source of energy which converts into thermal energy. The conversion of pressure energy into thermal energy is associated with the heat and work transfer due to shear along the radial, axial and tangential directions. In this paper, the physics of fluid flow and thermal separation are studied based on the heat and work transfer due to shear along all three directions. The work transfer due to the action of tangential shear is always from the cold to hot fluid layers and is the most dominant factor in the thermal separation process. The contribution increases considerably with hot cascading. However, the process of thermal separation degrades due to the effect of sensible heat transfer.     

Numerical investigation of gas species and energy separation in the Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube using real gas model

A three dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model is used to investigate the phenomena of energy and species separation in a vortex tube (VT) with compressed air at normal atmospheric temperature and cryogenic temperature as the working fluid. In this work the NIST real gas model is used for the first time to accurately compute the thermodynamic and transport properties of air inside the VT. CFD simulations are carried out using the perfect gas law as well. The computed performance curves (hot and cold outlet temperatures versus hot outlet mass fraction) at normal atmospheric temperature obtained with both the real gas model and the perfect gas law are compared with the experimental results. The separation of air into its main components, i.e. oxygen and nitrogen is observed, although the separation effect is very small. The magnitudes of both the energy separation and the species separation at cryogenic temperature were found to be smaller than those at normal atmospheric temperature.     

Experimental investigation of vortex tube refrigerator with a divergent hot tube

Energy separation performance of vortex tube can be improved by using a divergent hot tube. Experiments are carried out to investigate the influence of the geometrical parameters on vortex tube refrigeration capacity by using nitrogen as the working fluid. In this work, the parameters are focused on the divergence angle of hot tube, length of divergent hot tube and number of nozzle intakes. Experimental results present that there is an optimum angle for obtaining the highest refrigeration performance, and 4° is the optimal candidate under our experimental conditions. Divergent tube length which exceeds a critical length has slight effect on the refrigeration capacity. The critical length to diameter ratio is L/D = 12 in our experiment. Increasing number of nozzle intakes increases the sensitivity of temperature reduction and can obtain the highest possible temperature reduction. Moreover, similarity relations for the prediction of the cold exit stream are presented and confirmed by the experimental data.     

热端管长度对涡流管性能影响的试验研究

涡流管具有结构简单、无运动部件、价格低廉、可靠性高等优点,但管内发生的能量转换却极为复杂。本文以压缩空气为工作介质,对涡流管能量分离特性进行试验研究,获得涡流管制冷、制热效应随热端管长度、冷端流率之间的关系。研究结果表明,热端管长度越长,六流道喷嘴涡流管的制冷、制热效应越好,获得最大制冷效应时的冷端流率越大。     

Energy separation mechanism in unconfined laminar compressible vortex

A theoretical investigation from the view point of gas-dynamics and thermodynamics was carried out, in order to clarify the energy separation mechanism in an unconfined laminar compressible vortex, as a primary flow element of a vortex tube. The mathematical solutions of density and temperature in a viscous compressible vortical flow, with tangential velocity, were examined using an evaluation equation of total temperature. It is found from the results that a hotter gas in the peripheral region of the vortex is mainly generated by heat caused by viscous dissipation. A colder gas in the vortex center is mainly generated by viscous shear work done by the fluid element onto the surface of the surrounding gas. In addition, it is also found that the larger the representative Mach number of a vortex is, the lower the total temperature at the center of the vortex is, and at the same time, the higher the maximum total temperature in the peripheral region is. The increase in specific heat ratio of the working gas has the same effect, as increasing the representative Mach number of the vortex, on the total temperature in the vortex.     

Transient behaviour of finned-tube cross-flow heat exchangers

Three different approaches are developed for the prediction of transient performance of cross-flow finned-tube, liquid/gas heat exchangers for the step change in the inlet temperature of the hot fluid. These are called the zero solid capacity, one solid capacity and two solid capacity approaches (ZCA, OCA and TCA respectively). In the analysis using ZCA, the heat capacities of the wall and fins are added to the capacities of the hot and cold fluids. The temperature variation of both fluids between inlet and exit is assumed to be linear, and the effective rate of heat transfer is assumed to be proportional to the difference of the average temperatures on both sides. In the analysis using OCA the fins and tube wall are considered as one thermal capacity and the thermal resistance between them is neglected. However, in the analysis using TCA the capacities of the fins and tube wall are considered separately. Energy equations for the hot and cold fluid, tube wall and the fins, if they are to be considered, are derived for each of these approaches and solved numerically using a finite-difference method. The variation of the dimensionless exit temperature of the hot and cold fluid with time is obtained for a step change in the inlet temperature of the hot fluid. To show the appreciability of these approaches, an experimental study is performed and the numerical results are compared with the experimental results.     

The trans-critical heat transfer characteristics of LNG in a submerged combustion vaporizer under different operating pressures

It has been reported that trans-critical LNG vaporization process always occurs on the tube-side of typical submerged combustion vaporizer (SCV). In-depth analysis of this complex physical process is crucial for the stable operation of efficient SCV. In the present paper, a three-dimensional CFD numerical model was developed to analyze the flow and heat transfer characteristics of trans-critical LNG in the horizontal tube. Based on the numerical simulation results, the velocity, temperature and heat flux along the tube length were obtained. The distributions of local heat transfer coefficients under different operating pressures were also analyzed. The calculated results displayed that the representative phenomenon of “flow acceleration” occurs inside the horizontal serpentine tube. Affected by the variation of the physical properties, the heat transfer coefficient under the lower operating pressure was higher around pseudo-critical region, but decreased lower in the later field. Totally, the higher operating pressure may bring faster temperature rising and lower energy expenditure to reach the similar outlet temperature.     

Comparison of CFD analysis to empirical data in a commercial vortex tube

This paper presents a comparison between the performance predicted by a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model and experimental measurements taken using a commercially available vortex tube. Specifically, the measured exit temperatures into and out of the vortex tube are compared with the CFD model. The data and the model are both verified using global mass and energy balances. The CFD model is a two-dimensional (2D) steady axisymmetric model (with swirl) that utilizes both the standard and renormalization group (RNG) k-epsilon turbulence models. While CFD has been used previously to understand the fluid behavior internal to the vortex tube, it has not been applied as a predictive model of the vortex tube in order to develop a design tool that can be used with confidence over a range of operating conditions and geometries. The objective of this paper is the demonstration of the successful use of CFD in this regard, thereby providing a powerful tool that can be used to optimize vortex tube design as well as assess its utility in the context of new applications.     

Thermal-hydraulic CFD study in louvered fin-and-flat-tube heat exchangers

Heat transfer performance prediction by CFD codes is of major interest. Usually air-side heat transfer characteristics of fin-and-tube heat exchangers are determined from limited experimental data. The ability of CFD code to predict flow patterns and thermal fields allows determining the heat transfer characteristics by performing ‘numerical experiments’. CFD calculations of a 1-row automotive condenser are compared to experimental results and correlations of the literature matching the fin design and the flow conditions. Calculations are performed for different air frontal velocities. 2D models, with uniformly constant fin temperature overestimate significantly the heat transfer coefficient. 3D models, taking into account tube effects, conjugate heat transfer and conduction through the fin are in better agreement with the experimental results. However, even if an offset in noticed between CFD calculations and the experimental results, the trends are comparable and CFD study permits to reach local information, leading to better understanding of the physical phenomena involved in compact heat exchangers. An attempt for 2D unsteady flow has also been performed. Results are discussed in terms of flow pattern and heat transfer coefficient behaviour.     

进气温度与压力对锥形涡流管性能的影响

以氮气为工质,对锥形涡流管能量分离特性进行了实验研究,结果表明入口气流温度对锥形涡流管的工作性能影响较小.进气压力越高,能量分离性能越强,不同压力下都在冷气流率约0.2时,可得到最大制冷效应和制冷效率,冷气流率约为0.5时,可获得最大制热效应.升高压力可提高锥形涡流管的能量分离性能,但提高幅度逐渐减小,当压力升高到一定...     

Work and heat flows in a pulse-tube refrigerator

This paper reports a study on the role of heat exchange between the gases in the pulse tube and the tube wall in a pulse-tube refrigerator. To this end, the work flow going through the pulse tube without heat exchange is experimentally studied by mounting a piston on the hot end of the pulse tube. Refrigeration power is found to increase as the work flow reaching the hot-end piston increases. On the contrary, the heat flow released into a room temperature environment decreases as the work flow increases. This suggests that the work flow becomes more important as the refrigeration power increases.     

Forced convection of a temperature-sensitive ferrofluid in presence of magnetic field of electrical current-carrying wire: A two-phase approach

This research examines laminar forced convection of a temperature-sensitive magnetic nanofluid flowing within a horizontal tube through the two-phase mixture model. The ferrofluid flowing in the tube is exposed to the magnetic field generated by electrical current-carrying wire(s) along the tube, and the effect of such magnetic field is studied on heat and mass transfer phenomena. It is observed that due to the dependency of magnetization on temperature, the cold fluid flowing at the central regions of the tube is attracted more significantly towards the source of the magnetic field, which results in creation of secondary flow. Such mixing in the flow, subsequently, disturbs the thermal and hydrodynamic boundary layers, especially at the vicinity of the magnetic field source, leading to better heat transfer rate and also higher pressure drop. Furthermore, increasing the strength of the magnetic field leads to greater enhancement in heat transfer, while increasing the Reynolds number decreases the effectiveness of the magnetic field on the ferrofluid flow and heat transfer. Moreover, placing two wires above and under the tube can enhance the heat transfer even more significantly, such that the average convective heat transfer coefficient in this case is about 34.5% higher than that of the case without magnetic field.     

热端管长度对涡流管性能影响的实验研究

研制了不同热端管长度的涡流管,并以空气作为工作介质,通过实验研究了热端管长度对涡流管能量分离性能的影响.实验结果表明:对于常温涡流管,在入口压力为0.5MPa的情况下,相同冷流率时,随着热端管长度的增加,涡流管的制冷温度效应、单位制冷量和制冷系数增加,而其制热温度效应无显著的规律;对同一热端管长的涡流管,随着冷流率的增加,涡流管的制冷温度效应、单位制冷量和制冷系数增加,且在冷流率为40%～50%时出现峰值,而制热温度效应随冷流率的增加而增加,在冷流率范围内未出现峰值.     

冷端孔径对涡流管性能影响的实验研究

本文搭建了涡流管性能实验台,研究了不同冷端孔口直径的涡流管实验样机的性能。当进口压力为0.3~0.5 MPa时,分析了冷端孔径对冷端温降特性、制冷量特性、等熵温度效率特性及COP特性的影响。结果表明:冷端孔口直径对涡流管性能有很大影响,存在一个使涡流管冷端温降及制冷量均达到最大值的最佳冷端孔口直径,在本文设计的涡流管几何尺寸条件下,最佳冷端孔口直径为5 mm,最佳冷端孔口直径与热端直径比为0.5。     

整流器对涡流管能量分离性能影响的研究

设计加工了不同叶片角度的导流叶片形涡流管整流器。搭建了涡流管性能研究实验台。对整流器及其叶片角度对涡流管能量分离性能的影响，整流器对涡流管的长径比的影响进行了实验研究，并将白行设计加工的带有上述整流器的涡流管与ARTX公司生产的同类型涡流管进行了对比实验。实验结果表明：在涡流管末端加装上述整流器后，在冷流率为50％～80％时，涡流管的单位制冷量比不装整流器的涡流管提高了12％～44％；在实验研究的角度范围内，冷流率小于70％时，整流器叶片角度越大，制冷效果越好；加装整流器后，将涡流管的长径比由10．8降低到4．6，并且保持制冷效应不变；上述带整流器的涡流管在冷流率大于60％时，其制冷效应好于ARTX公司的同类型涡流管。     

Numerical analysis of an OPTR: Optimization for space applications

A numerical study is reported here for the investigation of the flow and heat transfer processes in a co-axial type single stage orifice type pulse tube refrigerator (OPTR). The OPTR is driven by a cyclically moving piston at one end of the system with helium as the working fluid. The regenerator and the various heat exchangers are modeled as porous media and a thermal non-equilibrium model is applied in these regions. The simulations reveal interesting steady-periodic flow patterns that develop in the pulse tube due to the fluctuations caused by the piston and the presence of the inertance tube. When the secondary flow patterns are well-developed, they help isolate the cold and hot ends of the pulse tube and create a thermal buffer zone at the center of the pulse tube, enhancing the performance of the OPTR.     

Determining of gas type in counter flow vortex tube using pairwise fisher score attribute reduction method

This paper focused on the determining of gas types in counter flow type vortex tubes. In the present study, four different gas types including air, oxygen, nitrogen, and argon in the vortex tube with different inlet pressures and nozzle numbers have been used. The main aims of this paper are to investigate the correlations between gas types and input parameters comprising nozzle numbers, inlet pressures, inlet mass flow rate, temperature of cold outlet, temperature of hot outlet, and cold mass fraction and to select the most important attributes using correlation based attribute reduction and pairwise fisher score attribute reduction (PFSAR). After attribute reduction methods applied to dataset, k-nearest neighbor and C4.5 decision tree classifiers have been used to determine the gas type in the RHVT. The results have demonstrated that the PFSAR is a robust and efficient method in the reduction of attributes belonging to vortex tube.     

直接空冷系统椭圆翅片管管束传热与流动性能的数值分析

直接空冷系统的空冷元件中,大口径热浸锌椭圆钢管绕椭圆翅片管因其具有空气侧流动阻力较小、换热系数较高、使用寿命长、清洗效果好、技术成熟等优点,在西北地区直接空冷机组中广泛应用。本研究采用CFD技术对三排管直接空冷凝汽器空气侧流动及换热性能进行细致分析,讨论了不同迎面风速下的三排管空冷翅片间的压力、速度和温度分布特性。结果表明,随着迎面风速的增加使换热系数增大,阻力增大;后排管的换热较前排管弱。本文模拟的结果可为空冷凝汽器的优化设计提供参考依据。     

Modification and experimental research on vortex tube

Vortex tube (VT) is a simple energy separating device which is compact and simple to produce and to operate. Although intensive research has been carried out in many countries over the years, the efficiency is still low. In order to improve the energy separate efficiency of vortex tubes, three innovative technologies were applied to vortex tubes. A new nozzle with equal gradient of Mach number and a new intake flow passage of nozzles with equal flow velocity were designed and developed to reduce the flow loss. A new kind of diffuser invented by us was installed for reducing friction loss of air flow energy at the end of the hot end tube of vortex tube, which can greatly improve the performance of vortex tube. The experiment results indicated that these modifications could remarkably improve the performance of vortex tube. The developed vortex tube was not only superior to the conventional vortex tube but also superior to that made by two companies in world under big cold gas mass flow ratio.