25-08-2017, 09:32 PM
12-09-2017, 11:12 AM
Cavitation reactors are a novel and promising form of multiphase reactors, based on the principle of large-scale energy release due to violent collapse of the cavities. An overview of this novel technology has been presented initially, in the specific area of process intensification of chemical processing applications, in terms of the basic mechanism and the different application areas. Recommendations for optimum operating parameters have been presented based on the theoretical analysis of the cavitation phenomena as well as on the comparison with trends observed experimentally in the literature. A pilot scale sonic reactor design has been presented and forms the basis for the development of industrial scale reactors. There have been some experimental cases using reactions of industrial importance, highlighting the degree of intensification achieved compared to conventional approaches. Guidelines have been provided for the additional work required to ensure the successful application of industrial scale cavitation reactors. In general, considerable economic savings appear to be possible by exploiting the spectacular effects of cavitation in chemical processing applications.