Text version of the page

Vortex Tubes

With our models ranging from approximately 6” to 13” long, Vortex Tubes are a very compact source of refrigeration and spot cooling capability. They are designed to utilize a filtered compressed air supply of 80 - 110 PSIG. Pressures lower than 80 PSIG will still provide some cooling, but temperature drops and flows are reduced due to the lower inlet pressures. To prepare the air source, an appropriate filter/separator must be used, placed as near to the Vortex Tube as possible. ITW Vortec’s Auto-Drain filters-separators incorporate a 5 micron filter that effectively removes dirt, rust and excessive moisture from the compressed air supply. ° F (93 ° C) can be generated using no electricity, with its related interference and hazards.As the originator of vortex tube technology for industrial applications, ITW Vortec’s expertise and problem-solving experience with vortex tubes is widely recognized. Our technical staff is ready to assist you with your cooling needs.

Reliable, Maintenance-Free Cooling

Using an adequately filtered and dried compressed air source, Vortex Tubes are essentially a no-maintenance cooling solution. With no moving parts to break or wear out, they will provide years of trouble-free operation. Prolonged use with dirty or oily air can cause wear or dirt collection within the tube. Under these conditions, occasional disassembly, inspection and cleaning are the only maintenance activities required.Since the tube’s performance is affected by the absolute pressure ratio applied, care should be taken not to restrict the cold outlet. A small amount of back pressure on the cold outlet to allow air to move through piping or ducting is acceptable. Back pressure, measured at the tube, should be limited to less than 5 PSIG.Due to the sound of escaping air, the noise from a Vortex Tube, in some externally mounted applications, should be muffled. Ordinarily the ducting of the cold air output through tubing or into an enclosure will adequately reduce noise levels. If required, specially designed cold end or hot end mufflers are available for your installation. It should also be noted that some applications have used the hot air output as a source of spot heating. Temperatures up to 200
The manufacturer of form, fill and seal packaging equipment uses #106-8-H Vortex Tubes to keep sealing bar clamp shield temperatures below 150 ° F. Excessive clamp shield heat would inadvertently melt film adjacent to the seal and cause marred wrap or a defective package. A laboratory uses a #208-15-H Vortex Tube connected to a simple heat exchanger to lower and maintain the water temperature in a cold water bath testing device. One of the largest producers of air conditioning compressors cools the exterior shell of its units after a baked on painting process with #308-35-H Vortex Tubes mounted on a cooling enclosure. Plastic injection and blow molders increase their production rates by using Vortex Tubes to speed the cooling of molded areas, especially those to be machined. A worldwide manufacturer of finishing equipment for the printing industry incorporates ITW Vortec Vortex Tubes as a cooling device for slitter blades. Vortex Tubes havemany applications:

4