Physical insights into the sonochemical degradation of recalcitrant organic pollutants with cavitation bubble dynamics

This paper tries to discern the mechanistic features of sonochemical degradation of recalcitrant organic pollutants using five model compounds, viz. phenol (Ph), chlorobenzene (CB), nitrobenzene (NB), p-nitrophenol (PNP) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP). The sonochemical degradation of the pollutant can occur in three distinct pathways: hydroxylation by OH radicals produced from cavitation bubbles (either in the bubble–bulk interfacial region or in the bulk liquid medium), thermal decomposition in cavitation bubble and thermal decomposition at the bubble–liquid interfacial region. With the methodology of coupling experiments under different conditions (which alter the nature of the cavitation phenomena in the bulk liquid medium) with the simulations of radial motion of cavitation bubbles, we have tried to discern the relative contribution of each of the above pathway to overall degradation of the pollutant. Moreover, we have also tried to correlate the predominant degradation mechanism to the physico-chemical properties of the pollutant. The contribution of secondary factors such as probability of radical–pollutant interaction and extent of radical scavenging (or conservation) in the medium has also been identified. Simultaneous analysis of the trends in degradation with different experimental techniques and simulation results reveals interesting mechanistic features of sonochemical degradation of the model pollutants. The physical properties that determine the predominant degradation pathway are vapor pressure, solubility and hydrophobicity. Degradation of Ph occurs mainly by hydroxylation in bulk medium; degradation of CB occurs via thermal decomposition inside the bubble, degradation of PNP occurs via pyrolytic decomposition at bubble interface, while hydroxylation at bubble interface contributes to degradation of NB and 2,4-DCP.     

Physical features of ultrasound-enhanced heterogeneous permanganate oxidation

This paper addresses the matter of mechanistic features of ultrasound-assisted permanganate oxidation of organic compounds in aqueous phase. This reaction system is essentially a liquid–liquid heterogeneous one, which is limited by the mass transfer characteristics. Previous research has established that ultrasound irradiation of reaction mixture enhances the kinetics and yield of permanganate oxidation. The principal physical effect of ultrasonic cavitation is formation of fine emulsion between immiscible phases that eliminates the mass transfer resistance, while principal chemical effect is production of radicals through transient collapse of cavitation bubbles, which accelerate the reaction. In this paper, we have tried to discriminate between these physical and chemical effects by coupling experiments with different conditions (which alter the nature of cavitation phenomena in the medium) to simulations of cavitation bubble dynamics. It is revealed that in absence of radical conserving agent, the enhancement effect is merely physical. Diffusion of radicals towards interface between phases, where the oxidation reaction occurs is the limiting factor in contribution of chemical effect of ultrasonic cavitation towards enhancement of oxidation. Enhancement of total radical production in the aqueous phase (by degassing of the medium) increases the overall oxidation yield, but only marginally. On the other hand, addition of a radical conserver such as FeSO₄·7H₂O results in marked enhancement in oxidation yield, as the conserver assists deeper penetration of radicals in the aqueous medium and diffusion towards interface.     

A parametric review of sonochemistry: Control and augmentation of sonochemical activity in aqueous solutions

In this review the phenomenon of ultrasonic cavitation and associated sonochemistry is presented through system parameters. Primary parameters are defined and considered, namely; pressure amplitude, frequency and reactor design; including transducer type, signal type, vessel-transducer ratio, liquid flow, liquid height, liquid temperature and the presence of a reflective plate. Secondary parameters are similarly characterised and involve the use of gas and liquid additives to influence the chemical and physical environments. Each of the parameters are considered in terms of their effect on bubble characteristics and subsequent impact on sonochemical activity. Evidence suggests that via parametric variation, the reaction products and efficiency may be controlled. This is hypothesised to occur through manipulation of the structural stability of the bubble.     

Acoustic cavitation structures produced by artificial implants of nuclei

High-density controllable bubble structures are produced in the vicinity of radiating surface by artificially implant nuclei. Two kinds of typical cavitation structures produced by artificially implant nuclei are investigated. The focusing action and the physical origin of jet-induced cone-like bubble structure are analyzed. The sonochemical activity of cavitation structures is measured by using the standard method of potassium iodide dosimetry. The controllability of cavitation bubble cluster in the acoustic field is also discussed in this work.     

用脉冲激光同轴全息技术测量微射流

 用脉冲激光同轴全息技术建立了全息照相系统和高精度同步时序系统,获得了采用爆轰加载产生高速运动的微射流全息图,并再现出微射流的全息像,得到粒子的大小和分布情况,从图像处理得到粒子尺寸的统计结果表明,最大尺寸在300μm左右,最小尺寸在30μm左右。证明了研制的全息系统和测试技术可以测量高速的微射流场。.     

Laser-induced breakdown of soda-lime glass microspheres using Nd:YAG laser

The Nd:YAG laser-induced breakdown of 20 μm glass microspheres was investigated using time-resolved optical shadow and Schlieren images. Time-resolved imaging showed the location of the initial breakdown and the shockwave motion over its first 400 μm of expansion. Measured shockwave velocities were in the range of 1–10 km/s and showed a linear dependency on laser fluence within 30 ns.     

Time resolved laser-induced plasma dynamics

The structure and evolution of the laser-induced vapor plume and shockwave were measured from femtosecond time resolved shadowgraph images. By changing the wavelength of the probe beam (400 and 800 nm), differences in the opacity of the vapor plume were measured as a function of delay time from the ablation laser pulse. The evolution of the temperature and electron number density during and after the ablation laser pulse were determined and compared for ablation in argon and helium background gases. A laser supported detonation wave (LSD) observed for ablation in argon, blocks the incoming laser energy and generates a high-pressure region above the vapor plume.     

Temperature overshoots for a 4-velocity unidimensional discrete Boltzmann model

We propose a 4-velocity unidimensional discrete Boltzmann model with two different speeds 2, 1 and two different masses 1, 2. With the three conservation laws of mass, momentum, and energy satisfied, we can introduce a nontrivial temperature. First, we determine the similarity shock waves satisfying physical properties: positivity, shock stability, inequalities of the subsonic and supersonic flows, increase or decrease of both mass and temperature across the shock. It results that either the speed of the shock front is higher than the speed 1 of the slow particles and the shocks are compressive or less than 1 and the shocks are rarefactive. We observe overshoots of the temperature, across the shock, with bumps higher and higher as the shock front speed increases. Second, we study the (1+1)-dimensional shock waves. They represent the superposition and collision of two compressive shocks traveling in opposite directions and we observe temperature overshoots for not too large times.     

The uses of ultrasound in food technology

The same physical and mechanical effects which have been utilised in sonochemistry, i.e. strong shear forces, particle fragmentation, increased mass and heat transfer, nucleation of seedling, have been applied to food processing. Examples are quoted from various applications where power ultrasound has been used to influence the development of living cells, improve sterilisation and effect enzyme activity. Typically ultrasound can be used as a processing aid in extraction, crystallisation, freezing, emulsification, filtration and drying.     

High-frequency acoustic emissions generated by a 20 kHz sonochemical horn processor detected using a novel broadband acoustic sensor: a preliminary study

This paper describes the application of a novel broadband acoustic sensor to evaluating the acoustic emissions from cavitation produced by a typical commercial 20 kHz sonochemical horn processor. Investigations of the reproducibility of the processor, and of the variation in cavitation emissions as a function of output setting and sensor location are described, and resulting trends discussed in terms of the broadband integrated power in the megahertz frequency range. Companion studies with a conventional membrane hydrophone have illustrated for the first time that cavitation emissions produced by a sonochemical horn processor can extend to frequencies beyond 20 MHz, and the sensor shows that significant nonlinearity can be seen in measured cavitation activity with increasing nominal output power.     

激光驱动冲击波在铝-金阻抗匹配靶中的传播稳定性

 针对神光Ⅱ第九路激光条件,利用1维JB程序和多台阶靶技术对冲击波在铝 金阻抗匹配靶中的传播稳定性进行了理论和实验研究,实验结果与理论结果基本吻合。结果表明,激光驱动冲击波在铝 金阻抗匹配靶中传播时,高阻抗待测材料金中的冲击波稳定传播最大距离急剧减小。因此,在进行铝-金阻抗匹配靶物理参数设计时,应保证高阻抗材料金台阶厚度满足冲击波传播稳定性,然后再按照阻抗匹配实验中两种材料的冲击波速度比来确定低阻抗标准材料铝的台阶厚度。根据神光Ⅱ第九路激光条件,铝-金阻抗匹配靶中铝基底厚度选取为30 μm左右较好,金台阶和铝台阶厚度应分别小于10 μm和17 μm。