Acoustic Devices for Increasing Rates of Mass Transfer Processes

1. ABSTRACT. Acoustic promoters are designed to operate with heterogeneous apparatuses. Self-excited low-frequency oscillations induce disturbances at interfaces and in boundary layers. Many reaction/nucleation sites in reactant flows form as a result. This enables simpler reactor design, improved reliability, lower power consumption, and increased rates of the mass-transfer phenomena. A resonant and/or an adaptive mode of operation is possible through proper selection of oscillation parameters.

The acoustic promoters are well-suited for absorption, chemisorption, fractionation and ozonizer applications. Among others, an apparatus for removal of soluble organics and heavy metal ions from waste water was developed.

2. DEGREE OF COMMERCIALIZATION. Elimination of phenols, cyanides, anilines, rhodanides, bacterial pollutants etc. from water, and decolorizing, deodorizing and improving taste of water were tested and implemented on a limited scale.

3. TECHNICAL DATA AND COST PERFORMANCE. A 1.5 to 4-fold increase in mass transfer rates was achieved which resulted in significant improvement of environmental and cost performance.

4. MARKET PENETRATION. Any form of business partnership will be considered.

5. KEY WORDS. Pollution abatement, energy conservation, cost-down, chemical reactors, heterogeneous processes, mass transfer, promoters, acoustics, self-excited oscillations, resonance, adaptive systems

Information supplied by the Author April 1999.  Page last updated: January 19, 2004