Old Sep 24, 2012 | 04:41 PM
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Billy22Bob
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Default Hilsch Vortex Tubes...20kW cooling capacity

Is anyone familiar with these and if they know of a setup for a CAI to a blower?

They are suually prescribed in small foot long 4-30cfm units for cooling - I'm yet to find a big one.
I'm thinking there is a great source of energy in the exhaust....hence why Turbos are what they are and the consequent engines are subsequently higher in efficiency than our SC buddies - they recycle this energy.

I'm wondering if someone has run a turbo purely as an air pump off a SC motor and then run 500-1000cfm to a vortex tube capable of cooling the intake air to 0-5degC (32-41F).

This would be the equivalent of taking 20kW of heat from the intake plenum. In our cars, this equates to about - 70F pre IC or the equivalent of an addiitonal 20kW of cooler, but only at high rpm when its needed.

Condensation wouldnt be a big issue - the motor sees the water either way. Obviously you dont want icing conditions to develop.

Sounds a little complex though - to some spanner swingers out there they may know.
I'm still to work out the dimensions of the tube - as I say - I havent found a larger 500-1000cfm unit yet.

1000cfm at 10-20psi from a pair of snail/s may be a tough call as well - it would more than likely be a narrow/wide one (ie: high volume).

The vortex tube discharge can be open to atmosphere at the CAI entry point so that over pressure isnt a problem.
The vortex tube (I believe) is reasonbly insensitive to intake temps - so the turbo compression energy (ye olde AIT's in a different guise) may not be an issue....(maybe me thinks).

The tune would be a challenge to say the least with the added back pressure from the Turbo

Open to suggestions/experience.
 
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