The Use of the Expansion of Gases in a Centrifugal Field as Cooling Process

The design of a vortex tube of good efficiency in which the expansion of a gas in a centrifugal field produces cold is described. The important variables in construction and operation are discussed and data for several tubes under various operating conditions are given. Low pressure gas, 2 to 11 atmospheres, enters the tube and two streams of air, one hot and the other cold, emerge at nearly atmospheric pressure. The cold stream may be as much as 68°C below inlet temperatures. Efficiencies and applications are discussed.