Thanks for your response.  What I'm interested in is using a vortex tube to
recuperate the exhaust energy for intercooling, augmenting radiator cooling
air, or airconditioning.

Chris

You must have read my mind Chris. I was thinking of putting one in the suction
mode on the intake of the turbo to cool the air going in. I guess it would
also work as an intercooler on the output of the turbo in the blow mode.
Paul Lamar

It's nice to know that I'm not too far out there.  We looked up some info on
the Exair website last night and ran some crude numbers.  You could get
40,000 btu/hr from four of their standard tubes.  It would also be possible
to make a vortex tube optimized for our flows and pressures.  Can we get the
kind of pressures and flows Abel Ibarra is getting though?

I had envisioned a switchable plenum that supplied extra cooling to the
radiators or worked as an intercooler for climbout, could switch over to
cool the cabin during taxi, or take from the hot end to heat the cabin in
the winter.

Nice thing is, no moving parts to break, no compressor for AC, and no heater
core and coolant plumbing.  All in all, the whole approch might get you the
extra amenities and still weigh less that a traditional intercooler setup.
It definitely wouldn't add any cooling drag.  And another thing,  you could
make b-vent type exhaust manifolds and vent the hot waste air into the
insulative space to keep cowl temps down.  Less cherry red exhaust is always
a handy thing in a plastic airplane. Not to mention that blanket of air a la
high bypass fan, would make the engine quieter.

How's the airplane coming? Are you going to make the Copper State race?
Now that Tracy has wheel pant fairings and better oil cooling he might try
to collect the Everett Hatch Memorial $500 prize for the Copper State Dash.

Airplane project is on hold for a time while we take time to move my
parents.  Something about no kids and too much house for 2 people, blah
blah.  Convert all the extra space into shop/hangar area maybe.  Once that
is accomplished we'll be back to work.

BTW Rumor has it Dan Wright and Jon Sharp along with the Lockheed
Skunk Works are working on a side by side two place 56 square foot wing
area Lancair IV beater for Reno. It will have a Cont O-550 twin turbo. They
need to sell it as a kit to qualify so somebody could build one with a
900 HP turbo three rotor and PT6 gear box and blow them all into the weeds.

I was reading the latest Spurt Aviation and they quoted the walter turboprop
at 604 continuous  SHP and a weight of 441 lbs ish.  The turbo'ed 3 rotor
would have this beat all to heck in all areas, especially BSFC.  And aren't
people getting 441 lbs firewall forward installs with 3 rotors?

Chris.

 
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