Vortex Tube Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who invented Vortex Tubes and when were they invented?

A. A French physicist named Georges Ranque invented the first Vortex Tube in 1930. Since compressed air was not widely available at that time, the Tube saw only limited use.

Q. How does a Vortex Tube make cold and hot air?

A. Fluid (air) that rotates around an axis (like a tornado), is called a vortex. A Vortex Tube creates cold air and hot air by forcing a simple heat exchange. Compressed air enters a chamber in the Tube and is forced to spin in a tight, high speed circular path(1,000,000 RPM).

A percentage of the high speed air exits as hot air out the hot exhaust of the Tube, but the remainder of the (now slower) air stream is forced to counterflow back up through the center of the high speed air stream-giving up heat-and exiting as cold air.

Q. How much compressed air does a Vortex Tube consume?

A. Depending on the size required, a Vortex Tube consumes anywhere from 2 scfm to 100 scfm of compressed air @ 100 PSIG inlet pressure.

Q. How much compressed air pressure is needed to operate a Vortex Tube?

A. A Vortex Tube's optimum performance is achieved when 80 to 100 PSIG of compressed air is supplied to the unit.

Q. Does Vortec currently produce a high pressure vortex tube?

A. Although Vortex tubes are able to withstand greater pressure, optimum performance is achieved at a max pressure of 100 PSIG