The Use of Cavitating Jets to Oxidize Organic Compounds in Water

Exposure to ultrasonic acoustic waves can greatly enhance various chemical reactions. Ultrasonic acoustic irradiation of organic compounds in aqueous solution results in oxidation of these compounds. The mechanism producing this behavior is the inducement of the growth and collapse of cavitation bubbles driven by the high frequency acoustic pressure fluctuations. Cavitation bubble collapse produces extremely high local pressures and temperatures. Such conditions are believed to produce hydroxyl radicals which are strong oxidizing agents. We have applied hydrodynamic cavitation to contaminated water by the use of submerged cavitating liquid jets to trigger widespread cavitation and induce oxidation in the bulk solution. Experiments were conducted in recirculating flow loops using a variety of cavitating jet configurations and operating conditions with dilute aqueous solutions of p-nitrophenol (PNP) of known concentration. Temperature, pH, ambient and jet pressures, and flow rates were controlled and systematically varied. Samples of the liquid were taken and the concentration of PNP measured with a spectrophotometer. Experiments were conducted in parallel with an ultrasonic horn for comparison. Submerged cavitating liquid jets were found to generate a two order of magnitude increase in energy efficiency compared to the ultrasonic means. [S0098-2202(00)00303-5]