Numerical Investigation of the Effects of Geometrical Parameters on the Vortex Separation Phenomenon Inside a Ranque-hilsch Vortex Tube Used as an Air Separator in a Helicopter’s Engine
Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: Air separators are fitted to helicopter engine intakes to remove potentially harmful dust from the influent air. Their use is necessary in desert environments to eliminate the risk of rapid engine wear and subsequent power deterioration. However, their employment is concomitant with an inherent loss in inlet pressure and, in some cases, auxiliary power. There are three main technologies: vortex tubes, barrier filters, and integrated inlet particle separators. In this work, a vortex tube is investigated numerically. The study was conducted on the number and axial angle of inlet nozzles. Two and three-dimensional models are investigated at a steady state condition then the standard k-ε turbulence model is utilised for determining the flow and temperature fields. The finite volume method base on a Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) model is verified through the comparison with experimental data and numerical results of a vortex tube, reported in literature sources. Increasing the number of inlet nozzles, increases the sensitivity of the temperature reduction and the highest possible temperature reduction can be obtained. A vortex tube with an axial angle inlet nozzle of yields better performance. The numerical simulation results indicated that the CFD model is capable of predicting the vortex separation phenomenon inside a Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube with different geometrical parameters.
Source: Aviation
Authors: Adib Bazgir, Nader Nabhani
Institution: Petroleum University of Technology
Language: English
Topic: Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube
Subfield: Mechanical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2809306484