July 2003Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Yes, it is possible - if there is a supply of clean, dry (ie instrument) air. The device is called a Vortex air amplifier. It uses a small volume of compressed air to move larger volumes of entrained air, yielding as much as 25-fold amplification. The total volume and the volume of compressed air are infinitely adjustable - unlike conventional fans and blowers, which have fixed flow rates. Vortex air amplifiers are used to replace fans and blowers in numerous applications. They do not have the drawbacks of bulky fans and blowers and do not require guards. Having no moving parts, they are maintenance free, safe and quiet.
How it works
A small volume of compressed air enters the annular orifice of the device and accelerates to sonic speed as it exits the orifice. This high-speed air creates a low-pressure area (vacuum) drawing in the surrounding air, causing the 'amplification', by using the free ambient air to induce large flows.
The smallest of the units available from Elen Enclosures, with a 20 mm throat diameter is capable (with inlet pressure at 550 kPa) of delivering air flows from 0 to 345 m3/h; the 76 mm unit will deliver flows from 0 to 845 m3/h and the 76 mm unit 0 to 1 269 m3/h. It is interesting to compare this data with the performance of conventional electric fans used for cooling and ventilation of electrical, electronic and instrument enclosures and cabinets. Vortex air amplifiers are also safe for use in hazardous (Ex) areas.
The devices exhibit effective vacuum characteristics which make them suitable for many other air conveying and exhausting applications such as cabinet and room ventilation, exhausting fumes, purging of tanks, cleaning and drying of parts etc.
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