Cavitation-controlled ultrasonic agitator

Abstract

An ultrasonic agitator has been designed for application in a confined area with a high-temperature, high-pressure, and corrosive environment. Control of this agitator is based on the detection of noise levels and subharmonics produced during cavitation and streaming. Noise signatures of agitation in different liquids and in liquids with particles are determined and discussed. The potential applications of this agitator are in a fluid-mixing device, a homogenizer during crystallization, a cavitation sensor, an acoustic streaming indicator, a fluid-characterization device, and a local liquid-solid heat-transfer enhancer.<>