> > Yes, there are commercial systems available. You can buy vortexes in any
> > number of sizes and ratings.
>
> Uh, a vortex cooler works on different principles than normal expansion,
> no ? It's not a thermodynamic thingy, it exploits the statistical
> distribution of 'local' density in a gas, which also depends on
> 'local' temperature and separates the different 'parts' of the gas by
> centrifugal force, thus obtaining two fluxes, one of hot, and one of cold
> expanded gas. This is very nice but it requires a lot of air and
> mechanical tuning (tuning the air input won't do normally).

Correct, except that they are fairly easy to adjust, choking off the hot
side output is what you do.

They work very well. A real benefit is the cold air rushes out, it's very
gratifying to feel ice-cold air!

They use a lot of air, but the Carnot cycle is not very friendly either
when put into common practice.

-Bob