Professor A.P. Merkulov’ role in the process of research and development of the vortex effect

The article is prepared for the centenary of the birth of Alexander Petrovich Merkulov. The stages of creating the theoretical basis of the vortex effect of energy separation of gases (the hypothesis of vortex interaction), and the creation and implementation of vortex devices based on the use of the vortex effect for aviation and medicine are considered. The role of Professor A.P. Merkulov in the study of characteristic features of the energy separation process in vortex tubes and practical application of the vortex effect in the USSR is shown. The works of ONIL-9 (KuAI-SGAU) headed by Alexander Petrovich Merkulov ensured the leading position of the Soviet school of thought in the field of vortex effect. These works contributed to the formation of modern understanding of the vortex effect and the successful beginning of industrial application of vortex apparatuses.

Shock Wave and Pulsation Aspects of Rank-Hilsch Effect in Vortex Tubes used in Gases Stratification

Vortex tubes based on Rank-Hilsch effect are widely used in gas separation technologies, cleaning of harmful gas emissions in the atmosphere protection, capture of oil-associated gas, cooling systems in chemical, petrochemical and other industries. However, up to the present moment in their design the calculation methods produce significant errors and require experimental improvement. Until now, existing theories of vortex effect don’t provide an adequate response to phenomena observed in experiments. In this paper have been presented examples of enthalpy balance disorders during operation of three-flow vortex tubes on hydrocarbon gases, as well as two-flow vortex tubes on air, based on analytical and critical analysis of a large number of various authors’ studies. Has been proposed shock wave and pulsation hypothesis for description of vortex effect and its main demonstrations. It has been shown that the proposed hypothesis can complement existing theories of vortex effect, and its accounting allows explain these processes. Have been presented thermodynamic characteristics of a bench double-flow vortex tube in laboratory experiment. Have been performed measurements of amplitude-frequency characteristics of vibrations performing external (mechanical) work under effect of gas-dynamic pulsations in vortex tubes. It has been demonstrated that vibration leads to gas kinetic energy dissipation into environment, resulting in enthalpy imbalance on the vortex tube. Has been performed analysis of additional cooling capacity, as well as heating of the vortex pipe mixed flow compared to throttling effect. The mechanism of shock wave and pulsation processes has been explained qualitatively based on analysis of a large number of various authors’ works and own experimental studies. It is emphasizing that the proposed qualitative mechanism requires further development and mathematical description based on the developed physical model.

On the issue of reducing the negative impact of nitrogen oxides in the system recirculation of diesel exhaust gases on applying the vortex effect

The problem of negative impact on the environment of motor transport is one of the most fundamental in the complex of global problems. The constant increase in the number of cars with internal combustion engines encourages the search for methods and ways to reduce the volume of negative impulses. The operation of heat engines is accompanied by significant emissions of gaseous harmful substances into the atmosphere, i.e. nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, as well as solid particles, including soot. The solution to this problem should be implemented within the framework of a systematic approach. To do this, it is necessary to combine the study of technical, economic, and organizational approaches to the organization of the exhaust gas disposal process. To date, there is a significant methodological base in the field of organizational and economic decisions. The article discusses various methods of cleaning exhaust gases of piston engines, their advantages and disadvantages are noted. The method of processing using ammonia is widely known. It is noted that a catalytic method for reducing nitrogen oxides using ammonia is quite economical. However, the optimal temperature range at which nitrogen oxides are reduced is rather narrow. To solve this problem, it is proposed to use the vortex effect in the exhaust system. The efficiency of using a vortex gas recirculation pipe is due to its significant influence on the thermal gasdynamic processes occurring in the exhaust system. Using the principles of non-equilibrium thermodynamics allows us to take into account dissipative processes when establishing the relationship of fuel and economic indicators of internal combustion engines with thermodynamic parameters. This significantly increases the accuracy of calculations and allows you to develop measures to reduce the level of negative impact on the environment.