Flow Structure in a Ranque−Hilsch Vortex Tube

Abstract

The structure of twisted flow in a Ranque−Hilsch vortex tube is investigated experimentally by modeling gas flow with an incompressible fluid flow. The velocity field is measured with a laser Doppler anemometer in the entire volume of the vortex chamber. The streamline pattern, which gives a complete presentation of the flow structure in the Ranque−Hilsch tube, is plotted in the axial section of the chamber. The resulting streamline pattern can serve as a basis for explaining the physical mechanism of the Ranque effect.