Author(s): P Rudolf; F Pochylý; P Sťahel; B Maršálek; M Balko; J Čech; M Hudec; L Prokeš; E Maršálková

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Keywords: Hydrodynamic cavitation; Cold plasma; Water treatment; Disinfection

Abstract: Hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) is a phenomenon that occurs when a liquid flows at a high velocity through a constricted space or over a sharp edge, causing the pressure to drop to vapor pressure and the formation of bubbles within the liquid. These bubbles then collapse violently, producing high pressures, shock waves and temperatures (hot spots) that can lead to chemical reactions. In summary, HC is the formation and collapse of bubbles or cavities within a liquid due to high velocity flow, which can produce intense physical and chemical effects. In hydraulic machinery it is connected with many negative effects such as erosion, pressure pulsations, vibrations and noise. However HC also has important applications in water treatment, where it can be used to disinfect water by disrupting the cell walls of microorganisms (cyanobacteria, bacteria). Several devices utilizing HC or HC in combination with hydrogen peroxide or ozone will be presented. Nevertheless efficiency of HC only is limited. New principle of exploiting HC based on synergistic effect with cold plasma ignited within the vaporous region was recently invented by present authors’ team. This device features production of significant concentration of hydrogen peroxide, strong electric field and UV irradiation. Combined action of these phenomena leads to very strong disinfection effects that not only disinfect water from biological contamination but also degrades chemical pollution (residuals of pharmaceuticals, estrogenes, pesticides and other organic molecules).

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1483/1/012008

Year: 2023