Airborne ultrasound for the precipitation of smokes and powders and the destruction of foams

Abstract

Sonochemistry is generally associated with the use of power ultrasound in liquid media. Under such circumstances acoustic cavitation can drive a range of reactions and processes. The use of airborne ultrasound in processing is less familiar because of the difficulties that relate to the use of ultrasound in gaseous systems. Firstly there is a greater attenuation (power loss) in the transmission of sound through air compared with that through liquid. Secondly the transfer of acoustic energy generated in air into a liquid or solid material is inefficient due to the mismatch between acoustic impedances of gases and solids or liquids. Despite this, applications do exist for airborne ultrasound but the source must be very powerful and efficient. In this way one can obtain levels of intensities at which it is possible to use ultrasound for specific applications such as to agglomerate fine dusts and to break down foams.