Design Optimization of Vortex Tube Structure by Numerical Simulation and Orthogonal Analysis

The flow field of ideal carbon dioxide in a vortex tube was empirically approximated, mathematically modeled, theoretically evaluated, numerically simulated with software FLUENT and experimentally measured with 5 factors 5 levelsorthogonal analysisfor design optimization of the vortex tube structure.The impact of the vortex tube geometry on the maximum cooling of the vortex tube was investigated.The simulated results show that the vortex tube structure significantly affects the maximum cooling to a varying degree.To be specific, at a cold flow ratio of 0.4, the optimized vortex tube, with a diameter of 4.32 mm, a length of 103 mm, a nozzle number of 2, a separation orifice diameter of 2.39 mm, and a hot end valve outlet area of 5 mm², results in the maximum cooling of 13.5 K.We suggest that the simulated results may be of some technological interest in design optimization of vortex tube.