EN | FR
    EN | FR

    Vortex Tubes

    EXAIR's Vortex Tubes offer a low cost, reliable, maintenance free solution to a variety of industrial spot cooling problems. Temperatures, flows and cooling power can all be adjusted to produce temperatures from -50°F to +260°F (-46° to +127°C). Using an ordinary supply of compressed air as a power source, vortex tubes create two streams of air, one hot and one cold, with no moving parts. They are constructed of wear resistant stainless steel, which is ideal for corrosive and hygienic environments. Temperatures, flows and cooling power can all be adjusted to produce temperatures from -50°F to +260°F (-46°C to +127°C).

    Applications

    • Cooling electronic controls
    • Cooling machining operations
    • Cooling CCTV cameras
    • Setting hot melts
    • Cooling soldered parts
    • Cooling gas samples
    • Electronic component cooling
    • Cooling heat seals
    • Cooling environmental chambers


    Advantages

    • No moving parts
    • No electricity or chemicals
    • Small, lightweight
    • Low cost
    • Maintenance free
    • Instant cold air
    • Durable - stainless steel
    • Adjustable temperature
    • Interchangeable generators


    Accessories
    Model Description
    3905 Cold Muffler for 2 through 8 SCFM (57 - 227 SLPM) Vortex Tube, Small Size
    3901 Cold Muffler for 10 through 40 SCFM (283 - 1,133 SLPM) Vortex Tube, Medium Size
    3906 Cold Muffler for 50 through 150 SCFM (1,416 - 4,248 SLPM) Vortex Tube, Large Size
    3903 Hot Muffler for 2 through 40 SCFM (57 - 1,133 SLPM) Vortex Tube, Small & Medium Size
    3907 Hot Muffler for 50 through 150 SCFM (1,416 - 4,248 SLPM) Vortex Tube, Large Size
    3909 Generator Kit for 2 through 8 SCFM (57 - 227 SLPM) Vortex Tube, Small Size
    3902 Generator Kit for 10 through 40 SCFM (283 - 1,133 SLPM) Vortex Tube, Medium Size
    3910 Generator Kit for 50 through 150 SCFM (1,416 - 4,248 SLPM) Vortex Tube, Large Size

    Generator Kits ordered with a vortex tube include all generators for the specified tube. Permits setting the vortex tube for all capacities and styles.

    Generator Only —Specify capacity (SCFM) and style (“R” for max. refrigeration, “C” for max. cold temperature).

    Example:

    15-R = 15 SCFM Generator for max. refrigeration

    50-C = 50 SCFM Generator for max. cold temperature


    Vortex Tube Performance

    The Vortex Tube Performance Charts below give approximate temperature drops (and rises) from inlet air temperature produced by a vortex tube set at each cold fraction. Assuming no fluctuation of inlet temperature or pressure, a vortex tube will reliably maintain temperature within ±1°F.

    Pressure Supply

    Cold Fraction %
    PSIG 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
    20 62 60 56 51 44 36 28
    15 25 36 50 64 83 107
    40 88 85 80 73 63 52 38
    21 35 52 71 92 117 147
    60 104 100 93 84 73 60 46
    24 40 59 80 104 132 166
    80 115 110 102 92 80 66 50
    25 43 63 86 113 143 180
    100 123 118 110 100 86 71 54
    26 45 67 90 119 151 191
    120 129 124 116 104 91 74 55
    26 46 69 94 123 156 195
    Numbers in shaded area show temperature drop of cold air (°F).
    Numbers in unshaded area show temperature rise of hot air (°F).

    Pressure Supply

    Cold Fraction % (METRIC)
    BAR 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
    1.4 34.4 33.3 31.1 28.3 24.4 20 15.6
    8.3 13.9 20 28.3 35.6 46.1 59.4
    2 40.9 39.6 37.1 33.8 29.2 24 18.1
    9.8 16.4 24 33.3 42.6 54.6 69.5
    3 50.4 48.7 45.7 41.6 36 29.7 21.9
    12 19.9 29.6 40.3 52.3 66.5 83.5
    4 56.9 54.7 50.9 46.1 40 32.9 25.1
    13.2 21.9 32.4 43.9 57.1 72.5 91.2
    5 61.6 59 54.8 49.4 43 35.4 26.9
    13.7 23.3 34.2 46.5 60.9 77.2 97.1
    6 65.4 62.7 58.2 52.7 45.6 37.6 28.6
    14.1 24.3 35.8 48.6 63.9 81 102.1
    7 68.6 65.8 61.4 55.7 48 39.6 30
    14.4 25.1 37.3 50.2 66.3 84.2 106.3
    8 71.1 68.2 63.8 57.3 50 40.8 30.4
    14.4 25.4 38.1 51.8 67.9 86.1 107.9
    Numbers in shaded area show temperature drop of cold air (°C).
    Numbers in unshaded area show temperature rise of hot air (°C).

    Back Pressure: The performance of a vortex tube deteriorates with back pressure on the cold air exhaust. Low back pressure, up to 2 PSIG (.1 BAR), will not change performance. 5 PSIG (.3 BAR) will change performance by approximately 5°F (2.8°C).

    Filtration: The use of clean air is essential, and filtration of 25 microns or less is recommended. EXAIR filters contain a five micron element and are properly sized for flow.

    Inlet Air Temperature: A vortex tube provides a temperature drop from supply air temperature (see Performance Charts above). Elevated inlet temperatures will produce a corresponding rise in cold air temperatures.

    Noise Muffling: EXAIR offers mufflers for both the hot and cold air discharge. Normally, muffling is not required if the cold air is ducted.

    Regulation: For best performance, use line pressures of 80 to 110 PSIG (5.5 to 7.6 BAR). Maximum pressure rating is 250 PSIG (17.2 BAR), minimum 20 PSIG (1.4 BAR).



    Vortex Tube Specifications

    3200 Series Vortex Tube Specifications
    3200 series Vortex Tubes optimize temperature drop and airflow to produce maximum cooling power or Btu/hr. (Watts). Specify 3200 series Vortex Tubes for most general cooling applications.
    Model # SCFM* SLPM* Btu/hr.** Watts** Size dBA***
    3202 2 57 135 40 Small 68
    3204 4 113 275 80 Small 70
    3208 8 227 550 162 Small 76
    3210 10 283 650 191 Medium 80
    3215 15 425 1,000 293 Medium 81
    3225 25 708 1,700 498 Medium 82
    3230 30 850 2,000 586 Medium 84
    3240 40 1,133 2,800 821 Medium 88
    3250 50 1,416 3,400 997 Large 94
    3275 75 2,124 5,100 1,494 Large 96
    3298 100 2,832 6,800 1,993 Large 96
    3299 150 4,248 10,200 2,989 Large 97

    * SCFM (SLPM) at 100 PSIG (6.9 BAR) Inlet Pressure

    ** Btu/hr. (Watts) Cooling Capacity at 100 PSIG (6.9 BAR)

    *** Noise levels taken with hot and cold mufflers installed.

    Vortex Tube Standards and Certifications

    OSHA Safe!
    CE Compliant

    EXAIR Vortex Tubes comply with OSHA's Safety Requirements, the EU General Product Safety Directive (2001/95/EC) and meet the noise limitation requirements of the EU Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC). All sound level measurements are taken at 3 feet away.

    Conflict Mineral Free

    Look for this symbol to designate conflict mineral free products throughout our website. EXAIR supports Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and we are committed to compliance with the conflict minerals rule in order to curb the illicit trade of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold in the DRC region. EXAIR is using the CMRT 3.02 template to document our supply chain and commitment to conflict free products.

    Talk to one of our Experts

    Reach out to our team of Spraying, Pumping, Filtering, Valve, and Systems Specialists today. We know we can help you with any municipal or industrial application challenges.

    3400 Series Vortex Tube Specifications
    3400 series Vortex Tubes provide lowest cold air temperatures, but at low cold airflow (when less than a 50% cold fraction is used). Specify 3400 series Vortex Tubes only where temperatures below 0° (-18°C) are desired.
    Model # SCFM* SLPM* Btu/hr.** Watts** Size dBA***
    3402 2 57 -------- -------- Small 67
    3404 4 113 -------- -------- Small 69
    3408 8 227 -------- -------- Small 75
    3410 10 283 -------- -------- Medium 78
    3415 15 425 -------- -------- Medium 80
    3425 25 708 -------- -------- Medium 82
    3430 30 850 -------- -------- Medium 84
    3440 40 1,133 -------- -------- Medium 87
    3450 50 1,416 -------- -------- Large 93
    3475 75 2,124 -------- -------- Large 96
    3498 100 2,832 -------- -------- Large 96