Abstract: Devices and methods for treating, preventing from growth, and neutralizing microorganisms in cooling fluids utilized in tire manufacturing, using high-frequency, low-energy ultrasound. In one embodiment, a method includes simultaneously exposing said cooling fluid to gas and high-frequency ultrasound. In another embodiment, a device includes a compartment for holding a reservoir of tire manufacturing cooling fluid, an ultrasound emitter configured to emit high-frequency ultrasound signals into the compartment, and a gas emitter configured to emit gas into the ultrasound field in the compartment containing the cooling fluid.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for treating, preventing from growth, and neutralizing microorganisms using high-frequency, low-energy ultrasound. A particular method is provided for treating a fountain solution including simultaneously exposing the fountain solution to gas microbubbles and high-frequency ultrasound. A particular device is also provided, including a compartment for holding a reservoir of fountain solution, a gas microbubble emitter configured to emit microbubbles into the compartment, and a high-frequency ultrasound-emitter configured to emit ultrasound signals into the compartment. The high-frequency ultrasound may be higher than 100 kHz.

Abstract: A device for treating liquid medium has an ultrasound emitter located relative to a compartment of a container holding a liquid medium and a microbubble emitter located relative to the compartment. The ultrasound emitter emits high-frequency ultrasound between about 200 KHz and 10 MHz. The microbubble emitter emits bubbles with an average diameter of less than 1 mm.