VORTEX TUBES
- Information
- Specifications
- FAQs
- How It Works
- Applications
- Dimensions
- Accessories
- Installation & Maintenance
- Streamtek index page
What is a Vortex Tube?
The Vortex Tube is an effective, low cost solution to a wide variety of industrial spot cooling and process cooling needs. Compressed air is injected into the vortex tube, flows at a rate of up to 1,000,000 RPM towards the 'hot' end of the tube. Once this hot air reaches the end, a small amount is exhausted through a control valve. The rest of the air is forced backwards towards the other end and exits as 'cold' air. The Vortex Tube can decrease temperatures by ~115F (46C) and raise temperatures up by ~200F (93C) from the initial inlet air temperature.
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Which Vortex Tube will best suite my needs?
Our Vortex Tubes are available in 2 sizes (Small and Medium). Each Vortex Tube is constructed of stainless steel. The wear resistance of stainless steel, as well as its resistance to corrosion and oxidation, assures that STREAMTEK™ Corp., Vortex Tubes will provide years of reliable, maintenance free-operation.
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| Vortex Tubes 7500 Series: Optimize airflow and temperature drop to produce maximum cooling power. |
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Size
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Model No.
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Material |
Small |
Stainless 303 | |
Small |
Stainless 303 | |
Small |
Stainless 303 | |
Medium |
Stainless 303 | |
Medium |
Stainless 303 | |
Medium |
Stainless 303 | |
Medium |
Stainless 303 | |
Medium |
Stainless 303 | |
| Vortex Tubes 7700 Series: Optimize airflow and temperature drop to produce maximum cooling power. |
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Size
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Model No.
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Material |
Small |
Stainless 303 | |
Small |
Stainless 303 | |
Small |
Stainless 303 | |
Medium |
Stainless 303 | |
Medium |
Stainless 303 | |
Medium |
Stainless 303 | |
Medium |
Stainless 303 | |
Medium |
Stainless 303 | |
Which Vortex Tube will best suit my needs?
Our Vortex Tubes are available in 2 sizes (Small and Medium). Each Vortex Tube is constructed of stainless steel. The wear resistance of stainless steel, as well as its resistance to corrosion and oxidation, assures that STREAMTEK™ Corp., Vortex Tubes will provide years of reliable, maintenance free-operation.
7500 Series Vortex Tube Specifications
The 7500 series Vortex Tubes are used in most industrial applications, such as electrical control panel cooling, tool cooling, and parts cooling. These Vortex Tubes optimize airflow and temperature drop to produce maximum cooling power or Btu/hr. (Kcal/hr.).
Size |
Model No. |
Air Consumption |
BTU/Hr. @ 100 PSIG |
Kcal / Hr. @ 6.9 |
| Small | 7502 | 2 SCFM (57 SLPM) | 145 BTU/Hr. | 37 |
| Small | 7504 | 4 SCFM (113 SLPM) | 275 BTU/Hr. | 69 |
Small |
7508
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8 SCFM (227 SLPM)
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560 BTU/Hr.
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141 |
Medium |
7510 |
10 SCFM (283 SLPM)
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700 BTU/Hr. |
176 |
Medium |
7515
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15 SCFM (425 SLPM)
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1100 BTU/Hr.
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277 |
Medium |
7525
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25 SCFM (708 SLPM)
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1800 BTU/Hr.
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454 |
Medium |
7530 |
30 SCFM (850 SLPM)
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2060 BTU/Hr. |
519 |
Medium |
7540 |
40 SCFM (1133 SLPM)
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2800 BTU/Hr. |
706 |
7700 Series Vortex Tube Specifications
The 7700 series Vortex Tubes are used in applications which require extreme cold termperatures such as circuit board testing, and lab sampling cooling. These Vortex Tubes provide the lowest cold air temperatures, but at a low cold airflow (when less than a 50% cold fraction is used). The 7700 services Vortex Tubes should be only used when temperatures below 0º (-18ºC).
Size |
Model No. |
Air Consumption |
BTU/Hr. @ 100 PSIG |
Kcal/Hr. @ 6.9 BAR |
Small |
7702
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2 SCFM (57 SLPM)
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--
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-- |
Small |
7704
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4 SCFM (113 SLPM)
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--
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-- |
Small |
7708
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8 SCFM (227 SLPM)
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--
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-- |
Medium |
7710 |
10 SCFM (283 SLPM)
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-- |
-- |
Medium |
7715
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15 SCFM (425 SLPM)
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--
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-- |
Medium |
7725
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25 SCFM (708 SLPM)
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--
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-- |
Medium |
7730 |
30 SCFM (850 SLPM)
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-- |
-- |
Medium |
7740 |
40 SCFM (1133 SLPM)
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-- |
-- |
Other Factors
Inlet Air Temperature
The Streamtek Vortex Tube will provide a temperature drop from the temperature of the compressed air supply.
Back Pressure
A low back pressure, up to 2 PSIG (.1 BAR), will not affect the performance of the Streamtek Vortex Tube. Anything over this will have a performance degration of ~ 5ºF (2.8ºC).
Filtration
Filtration to maintain clean air is necessary at a rate of 25 microns or less. Streamtek filters contain a 5 micron element and are properly sized for airflow.
Noise/Muffling
Both Small and Medium Vortex Tubes can be quite noisey if unducted. Streamtek offers mufflters for both cold and hot air discharge. If the cold air is ducted, muffling is not usually required.
Vortex Tube Specifications
PSIG |
Cold Faction |
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10% |
20% |
30% |
40% |
50% |
60% |
70% |
80% |
90% |
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20 |
63F | 35C |
62F | 34C |
60F | 33C |
56F | 31C |
51F | 28C |
44F | 24C |
36F | 20C |
28F | 15C |
17F | 9C
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7F | 4C
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15F | 8C
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25F | 14C
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36F | 20C
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50F | 28C
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64F | 36C
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83F | 46C
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107F | 59C |
148F | 82C
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40 |
91F | 51C |
88F | 49C |
85F | 47C |
80F | 44C |
73F | 41C |
63F | 35C |
52F | 28C |
38F | 21C |
26F | 14C |
9F | 5C |
21F | 11C |
35F | 19C |
52F | 29C |
71F | 39C |
92F | 51C |
117F | 65C |
147F | 82C |
220F | 122C |
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60 |
107F | 59C |
104F | 58C |
100F | 56C |
93F | 52C |
84F | 47C |
73F | 41C |
60F | 33C |
45F | 25C |
29F | 16C |
10F | 6C |
24F | 13C |
40F | 22C |
59F | 33C |
80F | 44C |
104F | 58C |
132F | 73C |
168F | 93C |
236F | 131C |
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80 |
119F | 66C |
115F | 64C |
110F | 61C |
102F | 57C |
92F | 51C |
80F | 44C |
66F | 36C |
49F | 27C |
31F | 17C |
11F | 7C |
25F | 14C |
43F | 24C |
63F | 35C |
86F | 48C |
113F | 63C |
143F | 79C |
181F | 101C |
249F | 138C |
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100 |
127F | 71C |
123F | 68C |
118F | 66C |
110F | 61C |
99F | 55C |
86F | 48C |
71F | 39C |
53F | 29C |
33F | 18C |
12F | 8C |
26F | 14C |
45F | 25C |
67F | 37C |
91F | 51C |
119F | 66C |
151F | 84C |
192F | 107C |
252F | 140C |
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120 |
133F | 74C | 129F | 72C | 124F | 69C | 116F | 64C | 104F | 58C | 91F | 50C | 74F | 41C | 55F | 31C | 34F | 19C |
| 13F | 8C | 27F | 14C | 46F | 26C | 69F | 38C | 94F | 52C | 123F | 68C | 156F | 87C | 195F | 108C | 257F | 142C | |
| The percentage of cold air produced versus total filtered compressed air consumed by vortex tube. | ||
| Pounds per Square Inch Gauge | ||
| Drop in temperature. | ||
| Rise in temperature. |
1. Can the Vortex Tube withstand back-pressure on the cold exhaust?
The performance is negatively impacted with back-pressure on the cold end exhaust. A Back-pressure of 5 PSIG will change performance by approximately 5°F. A low pressure up to 2 PSIG will not affect performance. 2. How does the Vortex Tube work?
Compressed air is injected into the vortex tube, flows at a rate of up to 1,000,000 RPM towards the 'hot' end of the tube. Once this hot air reaches the end, a small amount is exhausted through a control valve. The rest of the air is forced backwards towards the other end and exits as 'cold' air. 3. What is the Vortex Tube?
Vortex Tubes are a product of STREAMTEK Corp. Using compressed air as their only power source, cold air is produced on one and hot air on the other. All this is done with no moving parts!The cold air is typically used for spot cooling and refrigeration applications. The hot air can be used for spot heating applications, but the temperatures are not very high.
4. How long has the Vortex Tube been around?
The vortex tube was invented in 1933 by French physicist Georges J. Ranque and German physicist Rudolf Hilsch improved the design and published a widely read paper in 1947 on the device, which he called a Wirbelrohr (literally, whirl pipe). The Vortex Tube has been known as the “Hilsch Tube”, the “Ranque Vortex Tube”, the “Maxwells’s Demon, and the “Ranque-Hilsh Tube”. It’s a reliable, simple and low cost answer to various spot cooling problems within industrial plants.
5. Which Vortex Tube should I use?
STREAMTEK offers Small and Medium sized Vortex Tubes, each with a wide variety of cooling capacities. Vortex Tube Generator Kits allow you to experiment with a variety of temperatures and air flows. We recommend you talk to a STREAMTEK Application Engineer, as they can aid you in selecting the appropriate Vortex Tube for your application. 6. Is there anything in the Vortex Tube that can wear out or need replacing?
No. There are no moving parts, it will never wear out. They may need cleaning from time to time if there is contamination within the air supply. The Vortex Tube is constructed of type 303 stainless steel, brass generators, and a brass control valve. 7. Where can the Vortex Tube be used?
The Vortex Tube is typically used in spot cooling applications. Use it to cool, molds, machining operations, hot parts, electronics, etc. The hot end could be used to heat glues, shrink wraps, or for drying parts. 8. Can I use a Vortex Tube to cool my electrical enclosure instead of the Cabinet Panel Cooler?
Yes, however there are clear-cut advantages to using the STREAMTEK Cabinet Panel Cooler for this application.
- Cabinet Panel Coolers have a pressure release valve to allow warm air from the electrical enclosure to escape the cabinet.
- Cabinet Panel Coolers have been fine tuned to achieve maximum refrigeration; this cannot be adjusted. Vortex Tubes on the other hand can be adjusted by the user, leaving them open to poor operation and miss-adjustment.
- Cabinet Panel Coolers have been engineered to reduce noise levels drastically from that of the sole Vortex Tube.
9. Can I connect the cold end of a Vortex Tube to an Air Amplifier or Air Knife?
No. The Air Amplifier and Air Knife would both restrict the air flow of the Vortex Tube to the point where back-pressure would limit the cooling capacity of the Vortex Tube. The cold end of the Vortex Tube should not be subjected to a backpressure in excess of 5 PSIG. | ADVANTAGES | |
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| SMALL VORTEX TUBE | |
| Without muffler(s) | Assembled with muffler(s) |
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| MEDIUM VORTEX TUBE | |
| Without muffler(s) | |
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| Assembled with muffler(s) | |
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Vortex Tube Accessories
| Silencing Mufflers: Cold & Hot End | ||
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Description |
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| Generators: 7500 Series - The 7500 Series Generators optimize airflow and temperature drop to produce maximum cooling power. | ||
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| Generators: 7700 Series - The 7700 Series Generators provide the lowest cold air temperatures, but at a lower cold airflow. | ||
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| Generators: Kits | ||
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| Vortex Tube: Kits - Includes a vortex tube, ALL Generators, Cold End Muffler, and 1/4" NPT Auto Drain Filter. | ||
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General Accessories
| Filter Separators: | ||
Model No.
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| Pressure Regulators: | ||
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| Oil Removal Filters: | ||
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Description |
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| Valves: | ||
Model No.
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Description |
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| Compressed Air Hose: | ||
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