In this paper, energy separation effect in a vortex tube has been investigated using a CFD model. The numerical simulation has been done due to the complex structure of flow. The governing equations have been solved by 〖FLUENT〗^TM code in 2D compressible and turbulent model. Three turbulent models, namely RSM, Standard k-epsilon and Spalart-Allmaras have been used. Spalart-Allmaras turbulent model which is the first equation one was not so bad in predicting the temperature results. Although the Standard k-epsilon model predict the results better in most regions. The effects of geometrical parameters have been investigated. The results have shown that the hot outlet size and its shape, does not affect the energy distribution in the vortex tube and very small diameter will decrease the temperature separation. Different kind of gases has been examined for vortex tube and it concluded that using helium as a refrigerant produce the largest energy separation.

Keywords