Optimizing Steam Bubble Cavitation using Chemiluminescence
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Date
2012-08
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Publisher
The Ohio State University
Abstract
Water treatment methods in the United States are constantly under development to help
create more efficient, sustainable, and improved technologies. This is important as our water
supply becomes ever more exposed to pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). In
the long term, the effects of these contaminants on the population are unknown. Today, many
are pushing for more advanced treatment processes that can treat for PPCPs. Such processes are
known as advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). One emerging AOP is the use of cavitation.
Cavitation in particular has recently become of interest due to its ability to create hydroxyl
radicals. During cavitation, the formation and collapse of microbubbles creates a volatile
environment in which hydroxyl radicals are formed. Hydroxyl radicals are desirable because of
their ability to aid in water treatment by destroying organic contaminants. One of the latest
cavitation techniques in development is steam bubble cavitation. Other cavitation techniques are
limited in their water treatment capabilities, but a recent study has suggested that steam bubble
cavitation is more feasible due to its energy efficiency. Using a chemiluminescent reaction to
document the zone of cavitation, a better understanding of hydroxyl radical formation could be
gained. The goals of this research were: (1) to successfully create a steam bubble cavitation
reactor and (2) quantify the formation and collapse of steam bubbles through the use of
photography and chemiluminescence. At this time, these photographic and chemiluminescence
techniques have not yielded conclusive results. However, similar steam cavitation research has
returned promising results, warranting further study of this novel water treatment technology
using chemiluminescence.
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Keywords
advanced oxidation process, cavitation, water treatment, chemiluminescence