Method and apparatus for conducting sonochemical reactions and processes using hydrodynamic cavitation

Abstract

A method and apparatus for conducting sonochemical reactions and processes using in large scales liquid medium volumes is disclosed which passes a hydrodynamic liquid flow at a velocity through a flow through channel internally containing at least one element to produce a local constriction of the hydrodynamic liquid flow. The velocity of the liquid flow in the local constriction is at least 16 m/sec. A hydrodynamic cavitation cavern is created down stream of the local constriction, thereby generating cavitation bubbles. The cavitation bubbles are shifted with the liquid flow to an outlet from the flow through channel and the static pressure of the liquid flow is increased to at least 0.85 kg/cm.sup.2. The cavitation bubbles are then collapsed in the elevated static pressure zone, thereby initiating the sonochemical reactions and processes. At least one element may either be a bluff body, which produces a local constriction of the hydrodynamic liquid flow, or a baffle, which contains at least one transit channel to produce the local constriction of the liquid flow.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.