A durable, stainless steel “Vortex tube” is used to convert compressed air into cold temperatures, as low as -50 oF (- 46 oC) to spot cool as well as to air condition an enclosure. Vortex Tubes are used when other cooling tools are not able to cool an area or an enclosure to the desired temperature. Vortex tube operated panel coolers are mounted on the top of electrical and electronic cabinets to send clean, cool air down into the panel, displacing hot air around sensitive electronics. The vortex electrical panel cooler is made of stainless steel to protect against rain, snow, humidity, outdoor use, and corrosive environments. They work best in extremely hot and hazardous environments. Vortex tubes themselves can be made of aluminum, brass or stainless steel. However,l Nex Flow® chooses to use stainless steel for longer life and durability in all factory environments.
There are three standard sizes for Nex Flow® Frigid-X® Vortex tubes:
The tube comes assembled with a brass generator, which provides a longer lifespan in high temperature environments compared to plastic used by some manufacturers. Continuous operation of the Vortex tube compressed air panel cooler is best when constant cooling and/or a positive purge of waste/heat is required.
NOTE: The cooling effect (BTU/hr) is determined by flow and temperature drop.
All Vortex tubes have a generator which is sized for a certain flow. There are two basic types of generators – one to produce extreme cold temperatures (maximum cold temperature out called the C generator) and another type to produce maximum amount of cooling (maximum refrigeration called the H generator). The Vortex Tube takes compressed air and converts it to cold air as low as minus 50° F (minus 46° C) at one end and hot air at the other up to 260° F (127° C).
If cooling effect is important to the manufacturing application, then the cold air flowing out of the Vortex tube should be between 60% – 80%. This is called the Cold Fraction. Most industrial applications require the 60% to 80% setting and the H generator for optimal cooling. The Vortex Tubes with a C generator limits the Cold Fraction to a low value which produces extremely cold temperatures if required.
When the internal temperature of an enclosure reaches the desired temperature, it is useful to have an automatic on-off thermostat to save energy costs.
A fluid, such as water or air that rotates around an axis — like a tornado — is called a vortex. A Vortex Tube turns factory compressed air into two airstreams, one very cold and one hot, using no moving parts. It creates a tornado or vortex of compressed air that separates the fluid into two air streams: one hot and one cold. Vortex generator, which is a stationary and interchangeable part, regulates the volume of compressed air. The generator alters the airflows and temperature ranges.
The rotating air is forced down the inner walls of the hot tube at speeds reaching 1,000,000 rpm. At the Hot end of the tube, a small portion of this air exits through a hot air exhaust. The remaining air is forced back inside itself in the reverse direction through the center of the incoming air stream to create a stream of cold air at the cold end. The outside stream of air becomes hot and exhausts at the hot end of the tube. The heat of the slower-moving air directed at the cold end is shifted to the fast-moving incoming air, creating super-cooled air. The colder air flows through the center of the generator and exits through the cold air exhaust.
Different experimental methodologies have been used to confirm the flow behaviour inside a Vortex Tube and addresses the mechanism for the generation of cold and hot streams. “Energy analysis of flow properties in an air-operated Vortex Tube indicates that there is no outward energy transfer in the hot region of the Vortex Tube. The governing factor to determine temperature is attributed to the stagnation and mixture of flow structure.”
NOTE: The Vortex temperatures and capacities can vary by adjusting the hot end plug at the hot end of the tube and by using different generators.
The good news is that Vortex Tube behaviour is predictable and controllable. The Vortex Tubes have an adjustable valve at the hot end which controls the volume of the air flow and the temperature exiting at the cold end. By adjusting the valve, you control the “cold fraction”, which is the percentage of total input compressed air that exits the cold end of the Vortex Tube. Nex Flow’s Vortex Tubes may also be supplied with a fixed pre-set “cold fraction” instead of an adjustable valve.
The recommended guideline is: the less cold air released, the colder the air will become. The control knob adjusts the cold fraction, which is also a function of the type of vortex generator that is in the tube. There could be a high (industrial applications) or low cold fraction generator.
A high cold fraction tube can result in 50-90°F (28-50°C) below the compressed air temperature. They also have greater air flow, yet they do not give the lowest possible temperatures. The maximum refrigeration capacity (greatest BTU/H or Kcal/H) results from a combination of airflow and cold temperature. A low cold fraction tube releases a smaller volume of air but extremely cold temperatures (down to -40°F/-40°C). Therefore, colder air is released with less volume. In summary, the maximum refrigeration (BTU/H or Kcal/H) capacity occurs with a higher cold fraction tube.
The hot air is vented to the atmosphere above the Vortex Tube through a muffler to reduce noise (optional). For Vortex Tube operated cabinet enclosure coolers (Panel Coolers), cold air in the control panel or cabinet is vented below the Vortex Tube. The cold air enters the panel through the cold distribution hose. Holes are punched into the hose kit to deliver the cold air evenly inside the panel where required. An optional muffler, in the cabinet, is added to reduce noise of exhausting air. Once sealed, the outside air is never allowed to enter the control panel.
The flow rate and temperature in a Vortex Tube are interdependent. To set the Vortex Tube to the desired temperature simply insert a thermometer at the cold end and adjust the hot end valve. The optimum cooling effect is achieved when the difference from the inlet air temperature and the cold air drops is 50oF (28 oC).
When using a Vortex tube in cooling laboratory samples or to test circuit boards, a ‘C’ generator is used because it limits the cold end flow rate to lower levels and produces very cold temperatures.
In summary, opening the adjustable hot end valve causes the cold air flow to decrease and the temperature drops. Closing the adjustable cold end valve increases the cold air flow and the temperature rises.
Vortex Tubes have many advantages over other cooling solutions. They use no electricity and are safe since they have no explosive risk. They have no RF interference. They cool without refrigerants (CFCs/HCFCs) or moving parts for trouble free and reliable operation. Vortex Tubes are compact, lightweight, and easy to install especially in tight areas.
The main function of a Vortex tube is to provide air conditioning for enclosures in an industrial environment. It provides cold, dry, and clean air to enclosures, which house sensitive instruments.
Nex Flow offers four types of “Packaged” Vortex Tubes:
Frigid-X® Adjustable Spot Cooler is a low cost and maintenance free system that comes with a magnetic base for mounting. This type of vortex tube is generally used in a laboratory environment where temperature adjustment is needed. the units are portable and easily mounted.
NOTE: If more cooling is the 30 SCFM (850 SLPM) generator is available for up to 2,100 Btu/hr. of cooling.
Frigid-X® Tool Cooler is designed for all types of dry machining applications for materials like plastic, glass, ceramic, titanium, and others such as aluminum (if not deep hole drilling), and it has been used for cooling needles in sewing and cutters for textile cutting. It can replace mist systems that are sometimes toxic when lubrication is not required. It is basically a no mess, no residue, and low-cost cooling solution. If some lubrication is required – a variation called Nex Flow® Sub-Zero Vortex® – can do just the job.
Frigid-X® Mini Spot Cooler is designed to cool small parts and produces a stream of 15 to 20 oF (minus -9.5 to -7 oC) of cold air to prevent heat buildup depending on inlet air temperature. It is often used to improve heat tolerances in machining of small critical parts and increase production rates.
Frigid-X® Box Cooler/Panel Cooler – For cooling small enclosures in laboratories, special environmental chambers, and various other application where an enclosure needs to be cooled.
The following is a list of Nex Flow accessories sold with the Frigid-X® cooler products:
NOTE: The Side Mount is attached on the side of a cabinet but as near the top as possible so that the Panel Cooler can fit into the limited space they have. The hose distribution kit should be strung along the top of the inside of the panel with some holes to exhaust the cold air to avoid stratification of hot air at the top of the enclosure. Properly installed, the Nex Flow® Frigid-X® Panel Cooler with Side Mount can provide maintenance free air conditioning for your electrical and electronic controls.
The first step is solving over-heating internal panel heating issue is to identify the correct enclosure. Nex Flow Frigid-X® Panel Coolers are approved by Underwriters Laboratory (ULC Component Recognized). Nex Flow can be installed in four types of UL listed NEMA rated electrical panel coolers:
When spot cooling with a Vortex Tube, it is good to have a small flexible hose connection at the cold end to direct the cold air to the spot being cooled. You need to keep the hose length as short as possible, preferable under 8 inches. Watch how to install a Vortex Tube below!
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Appendix A: Advantages of using Vortex Tubes
Additional advantages of Vortex Tube usage includes:
Appendix B: What are the main issues with other cooling solutions for Panel Cooling?
Compressed air panel coolers are the best option because:
Appendix C: Additional Applications of Vortex Tubes
The following is a list of applications for the Vortex Tube: