FAQ

There are many parameters that need to be addressed in order to properly recommend an EXAIR cooling product, such as initial temperature, final temperature desired, size of the part, etc.  Please consult an Application Engineer at 1-800-903-9247 for a recommendation for your application.

5 Gallon Drum
Diameter - 15"
Height - 10.5"

30 Gallon Drum
Diameter - 20"
Height - 29"

55 Gallon Drum
Diameter - 24.5"
Height - 34"

110 Gallon Drum
Diameter - 30"
Height - 42.75"

Vortex Tubes are rated in Btu/hr. based on 100 PSIG inlet pressure at 68°F. Any deviation of pressure or temperature will affecting the rating of the Vortex Tube. Contact an Application Engineer to calculate the effects of temperature and/or pressure deviations on the Vortex Tube's rating.

The polyester shims are as listed below:

• 0.001" (0.03mm) - Amber
• 0.002" (0.05mm) - Red (Stock)
• 0.003" (0.08mm) - Green
• 0.004" (0.10mm) - Tan

The ETC has the following benefits:

1.) The set-point is easily adjustable with the use of push-buttons located on the front panel of the unit.
2.) The controller maintains the set point temperature within 1°F of the set point.
3.) The units can be changed from Fahrenheit to Celsius through push-button commands on the front panel of the unit.
4.) The ETC digital display indicates the actual temperature inside the cabinet.

If the application requires simultaneous operation of two valves based on input from one photoelectric sensor, we have an option for a Dual Valve EFC. Contact an Application Engineer for assistance.

No, a blower cannot provide enough pressure to run EXAIR products.

Due to the PVC standpipe, the maximum temperature rating for the Reversible Drum Vac System is 140°F (60°C).

The best way to confirm is to remove the hex cold cap and O-ring which holds the generator into the unit. Then, read the alphanumeric code on the flat surface of the generator. This will indentify many of the features of the Vortex Tube and if you have a stock Vortex Tube it will be all you need. If you have a Vortex Tube with special features, speaking with an Application Engineer will help determine what you have.

When you've obtained the alphanumeric code, you may contact EXAIR to obtain the corresponding model number.

Please contact us at 1-800-903-9247 or [email protected]

To achieve a higher force of air flow from the Super Air Knife, Standard Air Knife, or Full-Flow Air Knife you need to increase the volume of air being put through it.  This can easily be done by increasing the supply pressure and/or using a shim set. By increasing the shim thickness within the knife, the air volume and force generated on a target will increase. Please keep in mind this will directly affect the volume of air that is required to properly supply the knife; so proper plumbing techniques should be applied when connecting the Air Knife to the compressed air source.

The ETC can be set between 70°F - 130°F.

The Digital Flowmeter could be mounted to a section of pipe with couplings that would allow it to be relocated to any area you wish to test (keeping in mind the restrictions in the next paragraph).

The Digital Flowmeter must be mounted to a length of pipe that has at least thirty diameters of straight pipe up stream and five diameters downstream.  (Example: 30 diameters for a 1" Schedule 40 pipe = 30 x 1" = 30" of straight pipe.)
Avoid installing the Digital Flowmeter downstream of any item that could distort or concentrate the flow, such as a partially-closed valve, a regulator, a filter, or moisture separator, two closely-spaced elbows in different planes, a long-radius elbow, an increase in pipe size, or a curved hose.  For these situations, allow at least 50 diameters of straight pipe between any such item and the meter.  Select a location that meets these requirements and also provides good visibility from the plant floor.

 EXAIR provides a large array of compressed air nozzle choices to fit a wide variety of applications. We have quick-pick charts located within the catalog for our low force and high force air nozzles. These charts are located in our catalog and are also located on our web site.  (Low Force, High Force) These charts list each nozzle side-by-side with pertinent data to help you compare the nozzles against one another including: connection size, flow, force, and noise generated.  You can easily pick which nozzles most closely match the important application factors you have in mind. If you prefer assistance or confirmation with your choice of nozzle, please contact an Application Engineer. 

The Vortex Tube was invented quite by accident in 1928. George Ranque, a French physics student, was experimenting with a vortex-type pump he had developed when he noticed warm air exhausting from one end, and cold air from the other. Ranque soon forgot about his pump and started a small firm to exploit the commercial potential for this strange device that produced hot and cold air with no moving parts. However, the business soon failed and the Vortex Tube slipped into obscurity until 1945 when Rudolph Hilsch, a German physicist, published a widely read scientific paper on the device.

Much earlier, the great nineteenth century physicist, James Clerk Maxwell postulated that since heat involves the movement of molecules, we might someday be able to get hot and cold air from the same device with the help of a “friendly little demon” who would sort out and separate the hot and cold molecules of air.

Thus, the Vortex Tube has been variously known as the "Ranque Vortex Tube", the "Hilsch Tube", the "Ranque-Hilsch Tube", and "Maxwell’s Demon". By any name, it has in recent years gained acceptance as a simple, reliable and low cost answer to a wide variety of industrial spot cooling problems.

400°F (204°C)

Yes, Cabinet Coolers are simply engineered Vortex Tubes for the specific purpose of cooling a cabinet. Vortex Tubes will perform the same as a Cabinet Cooler but there are distinct advantages to using the Cabinet Cooler for this application.

• Cabinet Coolers are available in models that are UL Listed to maintain the NEMA integrity of electrical panels. Vortex Tubes do not provide this level of protection.
• Cabinet Coolers have built in sound attenuation.
• Cabinet Coolers have a built in vent to allow warm panel air to escape from the cabinet.
• Cabinet Coolers are pre-set for maximum refrigeration and the setting cannot be changed. Vortex Tubes can be field adjusted, this leaves them susceptible to mis-adjustment and inefficient operation.

The Chip Vac is designed to vacuum up dry or wet chips from fixtures, machines, floors and work surfaces.

The list below gives the calibrated ranges for each Digital Flowmeter.  The documented accuracy within these ranges is 5% of the reading, plus 1% of full scale for air temperatures between 40°F and 120°F (4°C - 49°C):

The units will read flows up to 50% more than the maximum calibrated range; accuracy is 7% of the reading for air temperatures between 40° and 120°F (4° - 49°C).