PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION OF PARALLEL CONNECTED RANQUE-HILSCH VORTEX TUBES WITH CARBON DIOXIDE AND AIR USING THE TAGUCHI METHOD

In this study, the influence of the parameters affecting the vortex tube performance was investigated using the Taguchi method for a system of parallel connected Ranque-Hilsch vortex tubes (RHVT) comprising two counterflow vortex tubes. The RHVT performance parameter is the temperature difference (Delta T) between the hot flow outlet and the cold flow outlet of the RHVT. For this study, the parameters called control factors are four as vortex tube inlet pressure, working fluid type, number of nozzles, and nozzle material. Two and six nozzles made of polyamide and brass were used and CO2 and air were used as a working fluid. The quantity Delta T was optimized according to the Taguchi L16 orthogonal array test design for eight levels of RHVT system inlet pressure in the range of 150-500 kPa with the specified parameters and levels. Control experiments were performed, and optimization results were obtained. The most important control factor affecting the performance of parallel connected RHVT system was determined as a working fluid inlet pressure according to the Taguchi method, and the percentage effect of it was calculated as 74.85%. The effectiveness of nozzle number, nozzle material, and working fluid type parameters are the factors following the inlet pressure, respectively.