Energy Efficiency and the Economics of the Cavitation Conversion Process

Abstract

The objective of this chapter is to briefly outline energy efficiency and various economic considerations involved in converting the cavitation chemistry observed in a laboratory-scale operation into a commercially viable technology. First we examine the energy efficiency of the steps (see Table 8.1) involved in the cavitation conversion process. The overall economics (particularly the operating costs) of the cavitation conversion depend very much on the efficiency of the individual steps; energy efficiencies of the equipment are briefly outlined in Table 8.2. Various models for determining the energy efficiency of the cavity implosion are evaluated. A cavitation yield model that correlates overall reactor performance to the total energy consumption is evaluated. Finally, the energy efficiencies of cavitation conversion processes are compared with those of other advanced oxidation processes.