OPERATION & SAFETY

INSTRUCTIONS
VORTEX TUBES
Models 106, 208, 208SS, 308 and 328 series
(Includes all BSP versions of models listed above)

I M P O RTA N T
Please read all instructions BEFORE attempting to use this product

10125 Carver Road, Cincinnati, OH 45242

Phone: 513-891-7474 • Fax: 513-891-4092
Toll Free: 800-441-7475
www.vortec.com • [email protected]
 GENERAL SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

WARNING: COMPRESSED AIR COULD CAUSE DEATH,

BLINDNESS OR INJURY
1. Do not operate a Vortex Tube at compressed air pressures above 150 psig (10.3 Bar).
2. Do not operate a Vortex Tube at line temperatures above 110°F (43°C).
3. Avoid direct contact with compressed air.
4. Do not direct compressed air at any person.
5. When using compressed air, wear safety glasses with side shields.

Introduction
A Vortex Tube is a device which, when supplied with filtered compressed air at 100 psig (6.9 Bar) and
70°F (21°C), converts the air into two streams. One stream is adjustable up to 250°F (121°C) and the
other is adjustable down to -50°F (-48°C). Models ranging in air consumption from 2 SCFM to 100
SCFM are available.

Compressed Air Supply

The compressed air supply must be filtered to remove water and dirt using a 5 micron or smaller
filter. Failure to use a filter may cause clogging (and freezing) of the compressed air paths inside the
Vortec product. Filter recommendations are given in Table 1.

Filter elements must be changed on a regular basis. Frequency of change is determined by the
condition of the compressed air supply. Filters should be installed in the compressed air supply line
as close as possible to the Vortec product.

The appropriate size of compressed air supply line should be selected to ensure optimal performance
of the Vortec product. Please refer to Table 2 to determine what supply line size is recommended for
your application. Contact Vortec at 1-800-441-7475 for further assistance.

When the desired cold air stream temperature is less than 32°F (0°C), a compressed air dryer may be
necessary to prevent ice formation on the inside of the Vortec product.

Installation
Vortex Tubes can be installed by directly plumbing to the appropriately-sized, hard piped, compressed
air source that does not exceed 150 psig (10.3 Bar).
Operation
Vortex Tubes vary in air consumption from 2 SCFM to 100 SCFM. For help in selecting the appropriate
Vortex Tube for your exact need, contact your local distributor or Vortec.

The cold air temperature and volume can be changed by adjusting the valve at the hot end of the
Vortex Tube. Turning the valve counterclockwise will decrease the temperature and volume of cold
air. Correspondingly, the flow of hot air will increase but its temperature will decrease.

Maximum refrigeration (cooling capacity) is created when the valve is adjusted to produce 60 to 70%
cold air flow and 30 to 40% hot air exhaust.

Maintenance
Vortex Tubes have no moving parts and can be disassembled for cleaning. When reassembling the
Vortex Tubes, be sure to tighten the cold cap to 100 inch pounds of torque.

Troubleshooting
Insufficient airflow may be caused by the following:

1. Undersized compressed air line size.

2. Compressed air pressure too low.
3. Partial or complete blockage of internal compressed air path, due to dirt. See Maintenance section
for cleaning instructions; and Compressed Air Supply section for filter recommendations.

Insufficient cold air temperature may be caused by:

1. Compressed air line temperature too high.

2. Water vapor in the compressed air supply.

3. Loose cold cap. This may occur if not tightened properly after disassembled for cleaning.

If trouble persists, please contact Vortec at 1-800-441-7475.

Limited Warranty
Vortec compressed air products manufactured by ITW Air Management will be replaced or repaired if
found to be defective due to manufacture defect within ten years from the date of invoice.

Refer to our website www.vortec.com for full warranty details and limitations. ITW Air Management
makes no specific warranty merchantability or warrant of fitness to a particular purpose.
Vortex Tube Assembly
(Drawings shown below are not to scale)

106 Generator

-110 size O-ring

Model
106 Seal Washer
-106 Bushing
Cold End Cap

208 Generator

-116 size O-ring

Model
208
Cold End Cap

208 Generator

-116 size O-ring

Model
208SS
Cold End Cap

208 Generator

-116 size O-ring

Model
308
Cold End Cap

328 Generator

Model 328 Bushing

328 Cold End Cap

Seal Washer
-214 size O-ring
-131 size O-ring
Table 1: Filter Recommendations
FILTER AND REPLACEMENT PART ITEM NUMBERS
5 micron Oil Removal Hot Exhaust Magnetic Replacement
Vortec Model Cold Air Muffler
Air Filter Filter Muffler Mounting Base Generator Kits (5 pcs)
106 series 701S-24A 701S-48 106MC 208MH 620-26 106GK-2H, -4H, -8H
208 series 701S-24A 701S-48 208MC 208MH 620-26 208GK-11H, -15H, -25H
208SS 701S-24A 701S-48 208MC 208MH 620-26 208GK-11H, -15H, -25H
308 series 701S-36A 701S-54 208MC 308MH 620-26 208GK-35H
328-50-H 701S-36A 701S-54 328M 328M - 328GK-50H*
328-75-H 701S-40A - 328M 328M - 328GK-75H*
328-100-H 701S-40A - 328M 328M - 328GK-100H*
*328 Generator Kits consist of one generator and one bushing of the indicated size.

Table 2: Determining Compressed Air Line Size

1. Calculate total product compressed air consumption (SCFM, SLPM).
2. Determine length of compressed air line required for connection to main supply.
3. Locate pipe length in left column and read to the right to find the compressed air requirements.
4. Locate pipe size at top of column.

MAXIMUM AIRFLOW (SCFM) THROUGH PIPE AT 5 PSIG PRESSURE DROP (100 PSIG AND 70OF)
Pipe Length Pipe Size (Nominal) - Schedule 40
(Feet) 1/4 3/8 1/2 3/4 1 1-1/4 1-1/2 2 2-1/2
10 29 65 120 254 480 978 1483 2863 4536
20 21 46 85 180 340 692 1049 2024 3208
30 17 37 70 147 277 565 856 1653 2619
40 15 32 60 127 240 489 792 1431 2268
50 13 29 54 114 215 437 663 1280 2029
60 12 26 49 104 196 399 606 1169 1852
70 11 25 46 96 181 370 561 1082 1715
80 10 23 43 90 170 346 524 1012 1604
90 10 22 40 85 160 326 494 954 1512
100 9 21 38 80 152 309 469 905 1435

MAXIMUM AIRFLOW (SLPM) THROUGH PIPE AT 0.3 BAR PRESSURE DROP (6.9 BAR AND 21OC)
Pipe Length Pipe Size (Nominal) - Schedule 40
(Meters) 1/4 3/8 1/2 3/4 1 1-1/4 1-1/2 2 2-1/2
3 821 1840 3396 7188 13584 27677 42117 81023 128369
6 594 1302 2406 5094 9622 19584 29687 57279 90786
9 481 1047 1981 4160 7839 15990 24225 46780 74188
12 425 906 1698 3594 6792 13839 20999 40497 64184
15 368 821 1528 3226 6085 12367 18763 36224 57421
18 340 736 1387 2943 5547 11292 17150 33083 52412
21 311 708 1302 2717 5122 10471 15877 30621 48535
24 283 651 1217 2547 4811 9792 14829 28640 45393
27 269 623 1132 2406 4528 9226 13980 26998 42790
31 255 594 1075 2264 4302 8745 13273 25612 40611
Rubber hose maximum airflow rating: 1/2” I.D. rubber hose = 3/8” pipe; 3/4” I.D. rubber hose = 1/2” pipe

LIT0350