Intensified physical and chemical processing using cavitation: how far are we from commercial applications of hydrodynamic cavitation?

Cavitation — the formation, growth, and subsequent violent collapse of bubbles in a liquid — arises from localized pressure drops that trigger either liquid vaporization or the expansion of dissolved gas nuclei. This review examines recent technological advancements in cavitation, assessing its detection and quantification methods. It highlights transformative HC applications in areas such as wastewater treatment (e.g. pollutant degradation via chemical processing) and material synthesis and processing (e.g. particle size control and cell wall disruption via physical effects). Existing pilot-scale implementations are also reviewed, with an emphasis on reactor design, operational parameters, and the pressing question: How close are we to widespread commercial deployment? Key challenges, including enhancing energy efficiency and developing robust scale-up strategies, are discussed in the context of bridging the gap between laboratory research and industrial practice. While significant progress has been made, continued research and development in these areas are essential to fully realize the commercial potential of cavitation.