Experimental evaluation of a Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube as a particle separator
Date
2012
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
South African Institution of Mechanical Engineering
Abstract
The Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) is a
Generation IV graphite-moderated helium cooled
nuclear reactor developed in South Africa from the
German Arbeitsgemeinschaft Versuchreaktor (AVR).
After decommissioning of the AVR plant, radioactive
isotopes of silver 44Ag110 as well as graphite particles
were found in the primary helium coolant loop of the
reactor. Hence the main objective of this work was to
evaluate the efficiency of the Ranque-Hilsch vortex
tube (RHVT) as a separation device for removing
graphite particles from a helium coolant stream.
This objective was accomplished by designing and
building an experimental test apparatus and
measuring the particle separation efficiency of the
RHVT under different operating conditions. It was
found that the RHVT is a very efficient particle
separator, which may, however, not easily be
incorporated into the PBMR system.
Description
CITATION: Burger, A. & Dobson, R. T. 2012. Experimental evaluation of a Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube as a particle separator. R&D Journal, 28:25-30.
The original publication is available at https://www.saimeche.org.za/page/RDJournal
The original publication is available at https://www.saimeche.org.za/page/RDJournal
Keywords
Filters and filtration, Dust, Tubes
Citation
Burger, A. & Dobson, R. T. 2012. Experimental evaluation of a Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube as a particle separator. R&D Journal, 28:25-30.