Installation Sheets
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Vortex Tubes ![Intelligent Compressed Air Product]()
Cold air to -50°F (-46°C) from your compressed air supply - with no moving parts!
What Is A Vortex Tube?
Vortex Tubes are an effective, low cost solution to a wide variety of industrial spot cooling and process cooling needs. A Vortex Tube turns factory compressed air into two airstreams, one very cold and one hot, using no moving parts. Simple and low-cost, a Vortex Tube can produce:
• Temperatures from -50°F (-46°C) to +260°F (+127°C).
• Refrigeration up to 10,200 BTU/H (2571 Kcal/H)
• Air flow rates from 1 to 150 SCFM.
A control valve located in the hot exhaust end can be used to adjust the temperature drop and rise over a wide range for all Vortex Tubes.
A Model 3225 Vortex Tube keeps plastic
dishwasher arms cool during ultrasonic welding.
Why EXAIR Vortex Tubes?
The hardened Stainless Steel construction of EXAIR Vortex Tubes helps to resist wear, as well as its resistance to corrosion & oxidation, assures years of reliable & maintenance free operation. The vortex tube is also known as the Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube.EXAIR Vortex Tubes use only compressed air for spot cooling- no electricity or refrigerants are required.
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Special High Temp. Vortex Tubes Keep a Boroscope lens cool while inserted into a 1200 Deg.F boiler porthole. | Model 3250 Vortex Tubes cool the cutting knives in this pelletizer to prevent irregular shapes. |
A Model 3215 Vortex Tube cools a die on a medical tube forming machine |

A 1/4 ton of refrigeration in the palm of
your hand!
Compressed air, normally 80-100 PSIG (5.5 - 6.9 BAR), is ejected tangentially through a generator into the vortex spin chamber. At up to 1,000,000 RPM, this air stream revolves toward the hot end where some escapes through the control valve. The remaining air, still spinning, is forced back through the center of this outer vortex. The inner stream gives off kinetic energy in the form of heat to the outer stream and exits the vortex tube as cold air. The outer stream exits the opposite end as hot air. Read the History of the Vortex Tube for more information
Controlling Temperature and Flow in a Vortex Tube

Cold airflow and temperature are easily controlled by adjusting the slotted valve in the hot air outlet. Opening the valve reduces the cold airflow and the cold air temperature. Closing the valve increases the cold airflow and the cold air temperature. The percentage of air directed to the cold outlet of the vortex tube is called the "cold fraction". In most applications, a cold fraction of 80% produces a combination of cold flow rate and temperature drop that maximizes refrigeration, or Btu/hr. (Kcal/hr.) output of a vortex tube. While low cold fractions (less than 50%) produce lowest temperatures, cold airflow rate is sacrificed to achieve them.
Most industrial applications, i.e., process cooling, part cooling, chamber cooling, require maximum refrigeration and utilize the 3200 series Vortex Tube. Certain "cryogenic" applications, i.e., cooling lab samples, circuit testing, are best served by the 3400 series Vortex Tube.
Setting a vortex tube is easy. Simply insert a thermometer in the cold air exhaust and set the temperature by adjusting the valve at the hot end. Maximum refrigeration (80% cold fraction) is achieved when cold air temperature is 50°F (28°C) below compressed air temperature.
Dimensions
Small Vortex Tube Dimensions
Small Vortex Tube with muffler Dimensions
Medium Vortex Tube Dimensions
Medium Vortex Tube with muffler Dimensions
Large Vortex Tube Dimensions
Large Vortex Tube with muffler Dimensions
Vortex Tube Specifications
EXAIR Vortex Tubes are available in three sizes. Each size can produce a number of flow rates, as determined by a small internal part called a generator. If Btu/hr. (Kcal/hr.) requirements, or flow and temperature requirements are known, simply select the appropriate vortex tube according to the specification information shown below or the performance charts. Keep in mind that the vortex generators are interchangeable. If, for example, a Model 3215 Vortex Tube does not provide sufficient cooling, you need only change generators within the vortex tube to upgrade the flow rate from 15 to 25, 30 or 40 SCFM (425 to 708, 850 or 1133 SLPM).
3200 series Vortex Tubes optimize temperature drop and airflow to produce maximum cooling power or Btu/hr. (Kcal/hr.). Specify 3200 series Vortex Tubes for most general cooling applications. | |||||
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Model # | SCFM* | SLPM* | Btu/hr.** | Kcal/hr.** | Size |
3202 | 2 | 57 | 135 | 34 | Small |
3204 | 4 | 113 | 275 | 69 | Small |
3208 | 8 | 227 | 550 | 139 | Small |
3210 | 10 | 283 | 650 | 164 | Medium |
3215 | 15 | 425 | 1000 | 252 | Medium |
3225 | 25 | 708 | 1700 | 428 | Medium |
3230 | 30 | 850 | 2000 | 504 | Medium |
3240 | 40 | 1133 | 2800 | 706 | Medium |
3250 | 50 | 1416 | 3400 | 857 | Large |
3275 | 75 | 2124 | 5100 | 1285 | Large |
3298 | 100 | 2832 | 6800 | 1714 | Large |
3299 | 150 | 4248 | 10,200 | 2570 | Large |
* SCFM (SLPM) at 100 PSIG (6.9 Bar) Inlet Pressure
** Btu/hr. (Kcal/hr.) Cooling Capacity at 100 PSIG (6.9 Bar) |
3400 series Vortex Tubes optimize temperature drop and airflow to produce maximum cooling power or Btu/hr. (Kcal/hr.). Specify 3400 series Vortex Tubes for most general cooling applications. | |||||
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Model # | SCFM* | SLPM* | Btu/hr.** | Kcal/hr.** | Size |
3402 | 2 | 57 | -------- | -------- | Small |
3404 | 4 | 113 | -------- | -------- | Small |
3408 | 8 | 227 | -------- | -------- | Small |
3410 | 10 | 283 | -------- | -------- | Medium |
3415 | 15 | 425 | -------- | -------- | Medium |
3425 | 25 | 708 | -------- | -------- | Medium |
3430 | 30 | 850 | -------- | -------- | Medium |
3440 | 40 | 1133 | -------- | -------- | Medium |
3450 | 50 | 1416 | -------- | -------- | Large |
3475 | 75 | 2124 | -------- | -------- | Large |
3498 | 100 | 2834 | -------- | -------- | Large |
3499 | 150 | 4248 | -------- | -------- | Large |
* SCFM (SLPM) at 100 PSIG (6.9 Bar) Inlet Pressure
** Not Applicable. 3400 series Vortex Tubes are not normally used in air conditioning applications. |
Pressure Supply | Change in Temp | Cold Fraction % | ||||||
PSIG | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 | |
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20 | Drop °F | 62 | 60 | 56 | 51 | 44 | 36 | 28 |
Rise °F | 15 | 25 | 36 | 50 | 64 | 83 | 107 | |
40 | Drop °F | 88 | 85 | 80 | 73 | 63 | 52 | 38 |
Rise °F | 21 | 35 | 52 | 71 | 92 | 117 | 147 | |
60 | Drop °F | 104 | 100 | 93 | 84 | 73 | 60 | 46 |
Rise °F | 24 | 40 | 59 | 80 | 104 | 132 | 166 | |
80 | Drop °F | 115 | 110 | 102 | 92 | 80 | 66 | 50 |
Rise °F | 25 | 43 | 63 | 86 | 113 | 143 | 180 | |
100 | Drop °F | 123 | 118 | 110 | 100 | 86 | 71 | 54 |
Rise °F | 26 | 45 | 67 | 90 | 119 | 151 | 191 | |
120 | Drop °F | 129 | 124 | 116 | 104 | 91 | 74 | 55 |
Rise °F | 26 | 46 | 69 | 94 | 123 | 156 | 195 |
Pressure Supply | Change in Temp | Cold Fraction % | ||||||
BAR | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 | |
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1.4 | Drop °C | 34.4 | 33.3 | 31.1 | 28.3 | 24.4 | 20 | 15.6 |
Rise °C | 8.3 | 13.9 | 20 | 28.3 | 35.6 | 46.1 | 59.4 | |
2 | Drop °C | 40.9 | 39.6 | 37.1 | 33.8 | 29.2 | 24 | 18.1 |
Rise °C | 9.8 | 16.4 | 24 | 33.3 | 42.6 | 54.6 | 69.5 | |
3 | Drop °C | 50.4 | 48.7 | 45.7 | 41.6 | 36 | 29.7 | 21.9 |
Rise °C | 12 | 19.9 | 29.6 | 40.3 | 52.3 | 66.5 | 83.5 | |
4 | Drop °C | 56.9 | 54.7 | 50.9 | 46.1 | 40 | 32.9 | 25.1 |
Rise °C | 13.2 | 21.9 | 32.4 | 43.9 | 57.1 | 72.5 | 91.2 | |
5 | Drop °C | 61.6 | 59 | 54.8 | 49.4 | 43 | 35.4 | 26.9 |
Rise °C | 13.7 | 23.3 | 34.2 | 46.5 | 60.9 | 77.2 | 97.1 | |
6 | Drop °C | 65.4 | 62.7 | 58.2 | 52.7 | 45.6 | 37.6 | 28.6 |
Rise °C | 14.1 | 24.3 | 35.8 | 48.6 | 63.9 | 81 | 102.1 | |
7 | Drop °C | 68.6 | 65.8 | 61.4 | 55.7 | 48 | 39.6 | 30 |
Rise °C | 14.4 | 25.1 | 37.3 | 50.2 | 66.3 | 84.2 | 106.3 | |
8 | Drop °C | 71.1 | 68.2 | 63.8 | 57.3 | 50 | 40.8 | 30.4 |
Rise °C | 14.4 | 25.4 | 38.1 | 51.8 | 67.9 | 86.1 | 107.9 |
EXAIR Cooling Kits | |
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EXAIR Cooling Kits include a vortex tube, all generators, cold muffler, fitting, tubing and clips to duct cold, and filter separator
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Model #
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Description
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3908J
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Cooling Kit up to 550 Btu/hr. (139 Kcal/hr.), Small Size
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3930J
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Cooling Kit up to 2800 Btu/hr. (706 Kcal/hr.), Medium Size
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3998J
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Cooling Kit up to 10,200 Btu/hr. (2570 Kcal/hr.), Large Size
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Other Factors
Back Pressure:
The performance of a vortex tube deteriorates with back pressure on the cold air exhaust. Low back pressure, up to 2 PSIG (.1 BAR), will not change performance. 5 PSIG (.3 BAR) will change performance by approximately 5°F (2.8°C).
Filtration:
The use of clean air is essential, and filtration of 25 microns or less is recommended. EXAIR filters contain a five micron element and are properly sized for flow.
Inlet Air Temperature:
A vortex tube provides a temperature drop from supply air temperature (see Performance Charts above). Elevated inlet temperatures will produce a corresponding rise in cold air temperatures.
Noise Muffling:
EXAIR offers mufflers for both the hot and cold air discharge. Normally, muffling is not required if the cold air is ducted
Regulation:
For best performance, use line pressures of 80 to 110 PSIG (5.5 to 7.6 BAR). Maximum pressure rating is 250 PSIG (17.2 BAR), minimum 20 PSIG (1.4 BAR).
If you are unsure of your flow and temperature requirements, we recommend the purchase of an EXAIR Cooling Kit. It contains a vortex tube, cold air muffler, air line filter and all generators required to experiment with the full range of airflows and temperatures.
Models
BSP Threads Available - Contact Us
Model # |
Description
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3202 |
Vortex Tube, 2 SCFM (57 SLPM), for max. refrig., Small Size, 135 Btu/hr. (34 Kcal/hr.)
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3204 |
Vortex Tube, 4 SCFM (113 SLPM), for max. refrig., Small Size, 275 Btu/hr. (69 Kcal/hr.)
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3208 |
Vortex Tube, 8 SCFM (227 SLPM), for max. refrig., Small Size, 550 Btu/hr. (139 Kcal/hr.)
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3210 |
Vortex Tube, 10 SCFM (283 SLPM), for max. refrig., Medium Size, 650 Btu/hr. (164 Kcal/hr.)
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3215 |
Vortex Tube, 15 SCFM (425 SLPM), for max. refrig., Medium Size, 1000 Btu/hr. (252 Kcal/hr.)
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3225 |
Vortex Tube, 25 SCFM (708 SLPM), for max. refrig., Medium Size, 1700 Btu/hr. (428 Kcal/hr.)
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3230 |
Vortex Tube, 30 SCFM (850 SLPM), for max. refrig., Medium Size, 2000 Btu/hr. (504 Kcal/hr.)
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3240 |
Vortex Tube, 40 SCFM (1133 SLPM), for max. refrig., Medium Size, 2800 Btu/hr. (706 Kcal/hr.)
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3250 |
Vortex Tube, 50 SCFM (1416 SLPM), for max. refrig., Lg. Size, 3400 Btu/hr. (857 Kcal/hr.)
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3275 |
Vortex Tube, 75 SCFM (2124 SLPM), for max. refrig., Lg. Size, 5100 Btu/hr. (1285 Kcal/hr.)
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3298 |
Vortex Tube, 100 SCFM (2832 SLPM), for max. refrig., Lg. Size, 6800 Btu/hr. (1714 Kcal/hr.)
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3299 |
Vortex Tube, 150 SCFM (4248 SLPM), for max. refrig., Lg. Size, 10,200 Btu/hr. (2570 Kcal/hr.)
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3402 |
Vortex Tube, 2 SCFM (57 SLPM), for maximum cold temperature, Small Size
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3404 |
Vortex Tube, 4 SCFM (113 SLPM), for maximum cold temperature, Small Size
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3408 |
Vortex Tube, 8 SCFM (227 SLPM), for maximum cold temperature, Small Size
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3410 |
Vortex Tube, 10 SCFM (283 SLPM), for maximum cold temperature, Medium Size
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3415 |
Vortex Tube, 15 SCFM (425 SLPM), for maximum cold temperature, Medium Size
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3425 |
Vortex Tube, 25 SCFM (708 SLPM), for maximum cold temperature, Medium Size
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3430 |
Vortex Tube, 30 SCFM (850 SLPM), for maximum cold temperature, Medium Size
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3440 |
Vortex Tube, 40 SCFM (1133 SLPM), for maximum cold temperature, Medium Size
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3450 |
Vortex Tube, 50 SCFM (1416 SLPM), for maximum cold temperature, Large Size
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3475 |
Vortex Tube, 75 SCFM (2124 SLPM), for maximum cold temperature, Large Size
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3498 |
Vortex Tube, 100 SCFM (2832 SLPM), for maximum cold temperature, Large Size
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3499 |
Vortex Tube, 150 SCFM (4248 SLPM), for maximum cold temperature, Large Size
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Accessories and Components
Model # |
Description
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3905 |
Cold Muffler for 2 through 8 SCFM (57-227 SLPM) Vortex Tube, Small Size
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3901 |
Cold Muffler for 10 through 40 SCFM (283-1133 SLPM) Vortex Tube, Medium Size
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3906 |
Cold Muffler for 50 through 150 SCFM (1416-4248 SLPM) Vortex Tube, Large Size
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3903 |
Hot Muffler for 2 through 40 SCFM (57-1133 SLPM) Vortex Tube, Small/Medium Size
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3907 |
Hot Muffler for 50 through 150 SCFM (1416-4248 SLPM) Vortex Tube, Large Size
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3909 |
Generator Kit for 2 through 8 SCFM (57-227 SLPM) Vortex Tube, Small Size
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3902 |
Generator Kit for 10 through 40 SCFM (283-1133 SLPM) Vortex Tube, Medium Size
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3910 |
Generator Kit for 50 through 150 SCFM (1416-4248 SLPM) Vortex Tube, Large Size
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Generator Kits ordered with a vortex tube include all generators for the specified tube. Permits setting the vortex tube for all capacities and styles.
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Generator Only -- Specify capacity (SCFM) and style ("R" for max. refrigeration or "C" for max. cold temperature). Example: 15-R = 15 SCFM Generator for max. refrigeration
50-C = 50 SCFM Generator for max. cold temperature |
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9001 |
Automatic Drain Filter Separator, 3/8 NPT, 65 SCFM (1841 SLPM)
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9032 |
Automatic Drain Filter Separator, 1/2 NPT, 90 SCFM (2547 SLPM)
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9002 |
Automatic Drain Filter Separator, 3/4 NPT, 220 SCFM (6230 SLPM)
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9005 |
Oil Removal Filter, 3/8 NPT, 15-37 SCFM (425-1048 SLPM)
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9006 |
Oil Removal Filter, 3/4 NPT, 50-150 SCFM (1415-4248 SLPM)
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9015 |
Valve and Thermostat Kit
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Note: |
Flow ratings shown (SCFM) assume 100 PSIG (6.9 BAR) inlet pressure. At other pressures, flow is proportional to absolute inlet pressure.
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