Cavitation Reactor for Pretreatment of Liquid Agricultural Waste

One of the most well-known methods of intensifying the process of anaerobic digestion is the pretreatment of raw materials. For the first time, the use of a jet-driven Helmholtz oscillator for biomass pretreatment is proposed. The design of the device is optimal for creating hydraulic cavitation; however, in this case, acoustic oscillations are generated in the system and resonance occurs. In this study, the optimal design of this device was determined for the subsequent design of a cavitation reactor. The diameter of the resonant chamber was varied in the range from 28.3 to 47.5 mm, and its length from 6 to 14 mm; in addition, the diameter of the outlet was changed from 6.1 to 6.3 mm. Based on the experimental data obtained, it was found that the optimal ratio of the length of the resonator chamber to the diameter of the inlet nozzle is 1.73, and the inner diameter of the resonator chamber to the diameter of the inlet nozzle corresponds to 5.5. Improving the technology of agricultural waste disposal will ensure their maximum involvement in economic circulation, reduce the consumption of traditional fuel and energy resources, and improve the technological and machine-building base, which makes it possible to produce competitive cavitation reactors.

Automated summary

The study proposes a method for biomass pretreatment using a jet-driven Helmholtz oscillator. The device design allows for optimal hydraulic cavitation, leading to acoustic oscillations and resonance. Experimental research on the variation of resonator chamber diameter, length, and outlet diameter determined the optimal design parameters. Improving agricultural waste disposal technology can maximize utilization of waste, reduce traditional fuel and energy consumption, and enhance technological and machine-building capabilities to produce competitive cavitation reactors.