The vortex tube as a classic thermodynamic refrigeration cycle

Boye K. Ahlborn; Jeffrey M. Gordon

doi:10.1063/1.1289524

The vortex tube as a classic thermodynamic refrigeration cycle

Boye K. Ahlborn, Jeffrey M. Gordon

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

149 Scopus citations

Abstract

Vortex tubes are commonly used as refrigeration devices. We show that the thermal and fluid dynamics of the vortex tube bear the signature of a classic cooling cycle, and quantify its performance as a thermodynamic machine. In the process, we develop simple analytic formulas for the temperature and pressure profiles within the tube. The principal model predictions compare favorably against experimental measurements.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	3645-3653
Number of pages	9
Journal	Journal of Applied Physics
Volume	88
Issue number	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1289524
State	Published - 15 Sep 2000

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Physics and Astronomy

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10.1063/1.1289524

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title = "The vortex tube as a classic thermodynamic refrigeration cycle",

abstract = "Vortex tubes are commonly used as refrigeration devices. We show that the thermal and fluid dynamics of the vortex tube bear the signature of a classic cooling cycle, and quantify its performance as a thermodynamic machine. In the process, we develop simple analytic formulas for the temperature and pressure profiles within the tube. The principal model predictions compare favorably against experimental measurements.",

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AB - Vortex tubes are commonly used as refrigeration devices. We show that the thermal and fluid dynamics of the vortex tube bear the signature of a classic cooling cycle, and quantify its performance as a thermodynamic machine. In the process, we develop simple analytic formulas for the temperature and pressure profiles within the tube. The principal model predictions compare favorably against experimental measurements.

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The vortex tube as a classic thermodynamic refrigeration cycle

Abstract

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