The Use of Cavitating Jets to Oxidize Organic Compounds in Water

This paper reports on the application of hydrodynamic cavitation by the use of submerged cavitating liquid jets to trigger widespread cavitation and induce oxidation of organic compounds in the bulk liquid solution with a two order of magnitude increase in energy efficiency compared to the ultrasonic means. The results are compared to a bubble dynamics model that includes heat and mass transport, collective bubble effects, and a first order Arrhenius reaction rate model. Comparison of model results with experiment indicated the reactions were limited by contaminant transport to the bubble surface rather than by radical generation or the intensity of bubble collapse. Other findings are the desirability of operating at atmospheric ambient pressure and low driving pressures and of maximizing cavity surface area. These results suggest a great potential for the use of jet cavitation in practical scale waste treatment and remediation systems.