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Experimental research has been carried out of the processes occurring in a three-flow vortex tube operating in the humid air. Two types of swirling devices are investigated: single-pass spiral (snail) and multi-entry of five curved channels. An increase in the isentropic efficiency of a multi-entry swirling device by an average of 45% for a cold flow in the region μ = 0.10 ... 0.8 in comparison with a snail one has been experimentally confirmed. Three positions of the dividing gap were investigated at a distance of 4, 5, and 6 mm from the nozzle inlet. The drying efficiency of a snail-type swirling device is 10–15% better, and moisture removal through the separator is 10–25% better in comparison with a multi-entry swirling device. The vortex velocity distribution profiles are determined numerically using the SST turbulence model. It was revealed that an increase in the vortex velocity in the area of the swirling device by 15% made it possible to obtain an increase in the isentropic efficiency by 50%. A hypothesis has been put forward describing the mechanisms that realize the effect of breaking of liquid particles inside a vortex tube, which can reduce the efficiency of liquid separation by up to 25%. • A three-flow vortex tube is an effective device for the moisture separation. • Design parameters makes a significant influence on the vortex tube operation. • Multi-entry swirling ensures supersonic speed of the flow inside the vortex tube. • Multi-entry swirling provides 45% higher efficiency comparing to simple snail-type one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]