The advantages of vortex tube are: no moving parts, high reliability, easy to carry and manufacture, and no need for refrigerant. Disadvantages are also obvious: low refrigeration efficiency, relying on high-noise and high-power air compressor.
The answer of a foreign professional (J. Polihronov, Ph.D.) is translated here as: "The coefficient of refrigeration (COP) of the traditional vortex tube is less than 0. 1. That is to say, every time the vortex tube takes away the heat of 1 joule, it consumes 10 joule or more energy. In contrast, the COP of commercial compressor air conditioners is between 2 and 4: for every energy consumed 1 joule, 2 to 4 joules of heat can be taken away. In contrast, the efficiency of vortex tube can be said to be very low and uncompetitive.
Therefore, at present, it is mostly used in "on-demand" refrigeration occasions, such as "ready-to-use" high-reliability maintenance-free cabinet air conditioners that need years of uninterrupted operation in factories (or providing portable refrigeration equipment for outdoor workers in construction sites to avoid overheating). "