Re: vortex tube for static gap cooling

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Jim Lux by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <jimlux-at-earthlink-dot-net>

I've used them a over the years in wwo basic applications: cooling machine
tools (where you have copious, free compressed air, it's a handy way to
blow really cold air on the mill cutter) and cooling electrical enclosures
(instead of a small airconditioner).  They take a LOT of compressed air,
but in some settings, you have lots of compressed air, and you don't want
to use electrical power for some reason.  If you are interested in cooling
stuff, it is more energy efficient, usually, to run a conventional
refrigeration unit with an electrically or mechanically driven compressor,
and use that to cool some convenient working fluid.

They can also make hot air, which is kind of handy sometimes, too.

They also have NO moving parts and essentially never wear out (unlike
mechanical refrigeration).



Tesla list wrote:
> 
> Original poster: "Bob Thaden by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>"
<robert.thaden-at-amd-dot-com>
> 
> I wonder if anyone has experimented with "Hilsch" Vortex Tubes.
> They seem like a great way to cool static spark gaps.  It doesn't
> have the problem of water cooling.   All you need is a compressor.
> The 'Amateur Scientist' book by C.L. Stong showed how to make one
> (link below).
> 
> THE "HILSCH" VORTEX TUBE
> 
> http://www.visi-dot-com/~darus/hilsch/     Stong's Amateur Scientist
> 
> http://www.arizonavortex-dot-com/    about $100-120
> 
> http://www.artxltd-dot-com/vortex/principle.shtml   starting at $98.00
> 
> http://www.montagar-dot-com/~patj/hilmnu.htm   (note Sci.Am thread)
> 
> -bob from Austin