Evaluation of performance of parallel connected vortex tubes using air, oxygen and carbondioxide with Taguchi method

Abstract

This study involves an optimization procedure for the factors affecting the performance of the parallel connected vortex tube system using the Taguchi method. The effect of vortex tube inlet pressure, working fluid, nozzle material and nozzle number parameters on vortex tube performance were obtained as a percentage using experimental design and analysis. Experimental studies were carried out at inlet pressures (150, 300 and 450 kPa) with brass and polyamide nozzles having 3, 4 and 5 nozzle numbers using air, oxygen and carbon dioxide as working fluids. These parameters were selected as control parameters and Taguchi L18 orthogonal array was used to design of experiments. According to the optimization study performed with Taguchi method for the Delta T value, which is the performance indicator of the vortex tube, the most important control factor was found to be working pressure (79.50%). The order of importance of other control factors on Delta T was determined as working fluid, number of nozzles and nozzle material, respectively following of inlet pressure. Furthermore, the validity of the optimization was verified with the confirmation experiment.