CFD simulation of acoustic cavitation in a crude oil upgrading sonoreactor and prediction of collapse temperature and pressure of a cavitation bubble

In acoustic cavitation, high pressure and temperature are generated due to cavitation bubble collapse in the liquid bulk around the bubble which causes physical and chemical changes in the liquid. In this study, pressure distribution in water caused by ultrasonic wave propagation in a sonoreactor was investigated. Active cavitation zones were determined by calculating acoustic pressure threshold for cavitation inception and compared with experimental results. Collapse pressure and temperature were predicted 3000 atm and 3200 K, respectively, for crude oil at temperature of 25 C by evaluating cavitation bubble dynamics in the exerted acoustic field. As a consequence, the huge amounts of energy generated by this phenomenon can be applied for changes in oil properties and crude oil upgrading. (C) 2013 The Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.