초록 ▼

The invention is directed to a high efficiency method for the remediation of large quantities of liquids, operating at low to moderate ambient pressures, in order to reduce environmental or health risks or to purify the liquid for use in industrial processing. Decontamination is achieved through the

The invention is directed to a high efficiency method for the remediation of large quantities of liquids, operating at low to moderate ambient pressures, in order to reduce environmental or health risks or to purify the liquid for use in industrial processing. Decontamination is achieved through the use of a swirl chamber in which a central vortex is formed which has a core pressure lower than the vapor pressure of the liquid thus inducing cavitation pockets in the vortex, which are then ejected from the nozzle through the exit orifice into a volume of liquid where the cavitation pockets collapse. These cavitation events drive chemical reactions, by generating strong oxidants and reductants, efficiently decomposing and destroying contaminating organic compounds, as well as some inorganics. These same cavitation events also physically disrupt or rupture the cell walls or outer membranes of microorganisms (such as E. coli and salmonella) and larvae (such as Zebra mussel larvae), leaving the inner cellular components susceptible to oxidation.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method for the remediation of contaminated liquid in which said contaminated liquid is pumped through a swirl chamber having a longitudinal axis to form a central vortex about said longitudinal axis, said central vortex having a core pressure lower than the vapor pres

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method for the remediation of contaminated liquid in which said contaminated liquid is pumped through a swirl chamber having a longitudinal axis to form a central vortex about said longitudinal axis, said central vortex having a core pressure lower than the vapor pressure of the liquid for inducing cavitation pockets in the vortex, wherein said cavitation causes decomposition of contaminants in said liquid.