Exergy analysis of a hot cascade type Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube using turbulence model

Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube (RHVT) is a simple device capable of splitting a compressed inlet gas stream into a cold and a hot outlet stream without any external source of energy supply. In hot cascade type RHVT the hot gas stream emerging out of the first stage vortex tube is supplied to the inlet of second stage vortex tube and thus producing higher heating effect. This paper presents results of a series of numerical simulation carried out using standard k-Ε turbulence model focusing on exergy analysis on second stage of RHVT for different cold fractions. The results obtained from numerical simulations compare favorably with available experimental measurements, which demonstrate successful use of turbulence model for a cascade type RHVT. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd and IIR.