Sonomechanics Blog

An ultrasonic processor is a device that uses high-frequency sound waves to create intense microscopic agitation in liquids. This process—called ultrasonication—is commonly used to mix, break apart, emulsify, extract, disperse, or process materials at a microscopic level.

Ultrasonic processors are widely used in industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food and beverage, cosmetics, cannabis extraction, nanotechnology, and chemical manufacturing.

Ultrasonic cavitation is a physical phenomenon where tiny vacuum bubbles form, grow, and then violently collapse in a liquid due to high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound).

How it works

• Ultrasound waves (typically above 20 kHz) travel through a liquid.
• These waves create alternating high-pressure and low-pressure cycles.
• During low-pressure phases, microscopic bubbles form (this is called cavitation).
• During high-pressure phases, the bubbles collapse or “implode.”
  

Industrial Sonomechanics (ISM) was honored to participate in the 1st International Conference in Ultrasonics Food and Technology hosted by TEAGASC in Dublin, Ireland, this past week.

We extend our sincere thanks to the organizers for hosting a successful inaugural event and to all the attendees, many of whom ISM President and Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Alexey Peshkovsky, had the pleasure of meeting throughout the conference.

In our previous blog post on ultrasonic cavitation in liquids, we described it as a cloud of low-pressure voids (a.k.a., vacuum bubbles or cavities) that grow, briefly oscillate and finally asymmetrically implode with great intensity. This effect causes extreme local temperatures and pressures, which can produce free radicals and give rise to many chemical (sonochemical) reactions. It also generates extremely powerful micro-jets and enormous shear forces, which promote a variety of physical (mechanical) processes. In some instances, these effects can be clearly seen as they occur. In this post, we provide such visual examples of chemical and mechanical processes.

Liquids exposed to high-intensity ultrasound can undergo acoustic cavitation. This phenomenon can typically be seen as a cloud of bubbles forming in the vicinity of the ultrasonic source (e.g., ultrasonic horn) and heard as an intense hissing noise. Cavitation is the formation of low-pressure voids (a.k.a., vacuum bubbles or cavities) in the liquid, which grow, briefly oscillate and then asymmetrically implode with great intensity.

This blog post focuses on six common terms used in conjunction with ultrasonic processing: ultrasonic amplitude, power, frequency, power intensity, power density and processing rate.

Whether you use ultrasonic processing for making nanoemulsions, milling pharmaceutical crystals, degassing, extracting botanical oils, manufacturing bio-fuels, dispersing pigments, disrupting cells or enhancing a chemical process, there are several general terms you need to be familiar with. Knowing these terms and keeping track of the corresponding parameters will insure reproducibility of results and simplify process-related discussions with your peers.