What is hydrodynamic cavitation?
Hydrodynamic cavitation is a phenomenon that occurs when a liquid flows through a confined space at a high velocity. It involves the formation and collapse of microscopic vapor bubbles in the liquid, which create high–pressure shock waves. When these shock waves interact with solid surfaces, they can cause erosion and wear of those surfaces. Hydrodynamic cavitation can be used in a variety of industrial applications, such as increasing the efficiency of pumps and turbines, and reducing fouling in pipes.
How does hydrodynamic cavitation relate to water purification?
Hydrodynamic cavitation is used in water purification to help remove contaminants from water. During hydrodynamic cavitation, the high–pressure shock waves created by the collapse of the vapor bubbles can cause contaminants to be released from solid materials such as dirt, sand, and algae. The shock waves can also disrupt the cell walls of bacteria and other microorganisms, destroying them and making them easier to remove from the water.
How does hydrodynamic cavitation disrupt the cell walls of bacteria?
The high–pressure shock waves created by hydrodynamic cavitation can disrupt the cell walls of bacteria, destroying them and making them easier to remove from the water. The shock waves create tiny pockets of vacuum, which can cause the cell walls of bacteria to collapse. This causes the bacterial cells to rupture, leading to their destruction.
What types of bacteria can hydrodynamic cavitation destroy?
Hydrodynamic cavitation is most effective at destroying Gram–negative bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella. It is also effective at destroying Gram–positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. Hydrodynamic cavitation can also be used to destroy certain types of viruses.