Exergo-economic Evaluation of a new drying system Boosted by Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube

In this paper, a new drying system aided by the hot stream of Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube (RHVT) was designed. Then, the designed system was evaluated by means of energy and exergy analysis from the thermodynamics point of view. Finally, this new system was investigated by means of life cycle analysis coupled with the net present value (NPV) from the economic point of view. In this aim, several RHVTs with the different geometrical helical generators, control valve angles, RHVT bodies and inlet stream pressures were performed experimentally. The obtained results were evaluated in the designing of RHVT aided drying system (RHVTAD). The highest value of NPV of RHVTAD was calculated as 23711.88 € for the h/w = 0.44, d/D = 0.51, L/D = 40, control valve angle of 30°, 3rd control valve opening position. At this case, the operating conditions of this system were T5 of 328.15 K, T6 of 308.15 K and P8 of 601.325 kPa. Under the same circumstances, the energy efficiency of the RHVTAD system was calculated as 0.0348 and 0.0338 while exergy efficiency was calculated as 0.0010 and 0.0023 for the summer and winter modes, respectively.