Abstract: A cavitation system in which a source gas, e.g., a reactant, is loaded into the cavitation medium prior to cavitation is provided. The cavitation system includes a cavitation chamber with suitable cavitation drivers and a cavitation medium reservoir, the chamber and reservoir being flexibly coupled together via a pair of conduits. The conduits can be fabricated from a plastic or, as is preferred for higher temperature liquids, a metal. Typically metal conduits are formed into a coil, thus providing the desired flexibility. Flexibility is required in order to allow the relative positions of the cavitation chamber and the cavitation medium reservoir to be varied.

Abstract: An hourglass-shaped cavitation chamber is provided. The chamber is comprised of two large spherical regions separated by a smaller cylindrical region. Coupling the regions are two transitional sections which are preferably smooth and curved. Although the chamber is preferably fabricated from a machinable material, such as a metal, it can also be fabricated from a fragile material, such as a glass. An acoustic driver assembly is incorporated within the chamber wall at one end of the cavitation chamber. The driver can be threadably coupled to the chamber or attached using an epoxy, diffusion bonding, brazing or welding. O-rings or other seals can be used to seal the driver to the chamber. The head surface of the driver assembly can be flush, recessed, or extended from the internal chamber surface. The head surface of the driver assembly can be flat or shaped. If desired, a second acoustic driver assembly can be incorporated within the chamber wall at the other end of the cavitation chamber.

Abstract: A system for achieving bubble stability within a cavitation chamber is provided. The system includes an impeller assembly, the impeller assembly having at least one impeller blade located within the cavitation chamber. The impeller assembly is magnetically coupled to an external drive system which is used to rotate the impeller, thereby causing bubbles within the cavitation chamber to move toward the impeller's axis of rotation. As a consequence, the bubbles become more stable. Preferably the axis of rotation of the impeller is positioned in a substantially horizontal plane, thus allowing the rotating impeller to counteract the tendency of the bubbles to drift upward and to accumulate on the upper, inner surfaces of the cavitation chamber. The impeller can be rotated continuously throughout the cavitation process or stopped prior to, or during, bubble cavitation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for regulating the temperature of the cavitation medium for a cavitation chamber is provided. The cavitation medium is pumped through the cavitation chamber through a pair of chamber inlets and an external conduit connecting the two inlets. An external heat exchanger is used to regulate the cavitation medium temperature, the heat exchanger being either directly or indirectly coupled to the conduit. The cavitation medium can be circulated through the heat exchanger during chamber operation or, once the desired cavitation medium temperature is achieved, operation of the circulation system can be suspended. The heat exchanger can be used to lower the temperature of the cavitation medium to a temperature less than the ambient temperature; to withdraw excess heat from the cavitation medium; or to heat the cavitation medium to the desired operating temperature.

Abstract: A system and method for degassing a cavitation fluid is provided. The cavitation system of the invention includes a cavitation chamber with one or more cavitation drivers and a degassing system coupled to the chamber. One or more heaters, such as resistive heaters, are coupled to an external surface of the cavitation chamber such that heat from the heaters is transmitted through the wall of the cavitation chamber and into localized regions of the cavitation fluid contained within the cavitation chamber. The heater or heaters increase the temperature of the localized regions of the cavitation fluid to a temperature above the boiling temperature of the cavitation fluid, thereby creating vapor bubbles which capture gas trapped within the cavitation fluid through a rectified diffusion process. A cavitation fluid cooler can be used to insure that the average temperature of the cavitation fluid is below that of the boiling temperature.

Abstract: A cavitation system in which a source gas, e.g., a reactant, is loaded into the cavitation medium prior to cavitation is provided. The cavitation system includes a cavitation chamber with suitable cavitation drivers and a cavitation medium reservoir, the chamber and reservoir being flexibly coupled together via a pair of conduits. The conduits can be fabricated from a plastic or, as is preferred for higher temperature liquids, a metal. Typically metal conduits are formed into a coil, thus providing the desired flexibility. Flexibility is required in order to allow the relative positions of the cavitation chamber and the cavitation medium reservoir to be varied.

Abstract: A system and method for degassing a cavitation fluid is provided. The cavitation system of the invention includes a cavitation chamber with one or more cavitation drivers and a degassing system coupled to the chamber. One or more heaters, such as resistive heaters, are coupled to an external surface of the cavitation chamber such that heat from the heaters is transmitted through the wall of the cavitation chamber and into localized regions of the cavitation fluid contained within the cavitation chamber. The heater or heaters increase the temperature of the localized regions of the cavitation fluid to a temperature above the boiling temperature of the cavitation fluid, thereby creating vapor bubbles which capture gas trapped within the cavitation fluid through a rectified diffusion process. A cavitation fluid cooler can be used to insure that the average temperature of the cavitation fluid is below that of the boiling temperature.

Abstract: A system for achieving bubble stability within a cavitation chamber is provided. The system includes an impeller assembly, the impeller assembly having at least one impeller located within the cavitation chamber. A motor, coupled to the impeller by a drive shaft, rotates the impeller thereby causing bubbles within the cavitation chamber to move toward the impeller's axis of rotation. As a consequence, the bubbles become more stable. Preferably the axis of rotation of the impeller is positioned in a substantially horizontal plane, thus allowing the rotating impeller to counteract the tendency of the bubbles to drift upward and to accumulate on the upper, inner surfaces of the cavitation chamber. The impeller can be rotated continuously throughout the cavitation process or stopped prior to cavitating the bubbles within the cavitation chamber.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a spherical cavitation. Depending upon the chamber's composition and wall thickness, chambers fabricated with the disclosed techniques can be used with either low or high pressure systems. During chamber fabrication, initially two spherical half portions are fabricated and then the two half portions are joined together to form the desired cavitation chamber. During the fabrication of each chamber half, the interior spherical surface is completed first and then the outer spherical surface. Prior to joining the two spherical cavitation chamber halves, the surfaces to be mated are finished, preferably to a surface flatness of at least 0.01 inches. Electron beam welding is used to join the chamber halves together. Preferably the electron beam welding operation is performed under vacuum conditions. During electron beam welding, the two chamber halves are aligned and held together while the electron beam forms a weld along the chamber seam.

Abstract: A method for forming and imploding cavities within a cavitation chamber is provided. A hydraulically actuated piston is withdrawn to form the desired cavities and then extended to implode the cavities. The cavitation fluid is degassed prior to hydraulically driving cavitation within the chamber. Degassing can be performed within the cavitation chamber or within a separate degassing chamber. In one aspect, a coupling sleeve is interposed between the hydraulic driver and the cavitation chamber. Preferably the coupling sleeve is evacuated.

Abstract: A cavitation system for forming and imploding cavities within a cavitation chamber is provided. The system includes a hydraulically actuated driver coupled to the cavitation chamber. A cavitation piston, coupled to a hydraulic piston, forms the desired cavities during piston retraction and then implodes the cavities during piston extension. Preferably the cavitation fluid is degassed prior to hydraulically driving cavitation within the chamber. Degassing can be performed within the cavitation chamber or within a separate degassing chamber which is preferably connected to the cavitation chamber. In one aspect, a coupling sleeve is interposed between the hydraulic driver and the cavitation chamber, the coupling sleeve housing at least a portion of the cavitation piston drive rod. Preferably the coupling sleeve can be evacuated. In another aspect, a cavitation fluid circulatory system is coupled to the cavitation chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a temperature difference between two regions within a cavitation system is provided. The system's cavitation chamber is partially or completely filled with cavitation fluid, the amount that the system is filled controlling whether a cavitation fluid free surface is formed within the cavitation chamber or a conduit coupled to the chamber. Regardless of whether the region of the system above the cavitation fluid free surface is within the chamber or within the conduit, a temperature difference is created between this region and the cavitation fluid within the cavitation chamber. The temperature difference between these two regions is monitored by monitoring the temperature of each region. The temperature difference can be created by either heating the region above the cavitation fluid free surface, cooling the cavitation fluid, or both.

Abstract: A cavitation system for forming and imploding cavities within a cavitation chamber is provided. The system includes a hydraulically actuated driver coupled to the cavitation chamber. A cavitation piston, coupled to a hydraulic piston, forms the desired cavities during piston retraction and then implodes the cavities during piston extension. Preferably the cavitation fluid is degassed prior to hydraulically driving cavitation within the chamber. Degassing can be performed within the cavitation chamber or within a separate degassing chamber which is preferably connected to the cavitation chamber. In one aspect, a coupling sleeve is interposed between the hydraulic driver and the cavitation chamber, the coupling sleeve housing at least a portion of the cavitation piston drive rod. Preferably the coupling sleeve can be evacuated. In another aspect, a cavitation fluid circulatory system is coupled to the cavitation chamber.

Abstract: A method for initiating cavitation within the fluid within a cavitation chamber is provided. In the cavitation preparatory steps, a hydraulically actuated piston is fully retracted and then the cavitation chamber is isolated. The hydraulic piston is then fully extended after which the chamber is partially opened until a predetermined pressure is obtained. After the chamber is once again isolated, cavities are formed and imploded by retracting and then extending the cavitation piston. At least one impeller, located within the cavitation chamber, is rotated in order to stabilize the cavities.

Abstract: A method for initiating cavitation within the fluid within a cavitation chamber is provided. In the cavitation preparatory steps, a hydraulically actuated piston is partially withdrawn and then the cavitation chamber is isolated. Once the chamber is isolated, the hydraulic piston is further withdrawn in order to form the desired cavities and then extended to implode the cavities. At least one impeller, located within the cavitation chamber, is rotated in order to stabilize the cavities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of circulating cavitation fluid within a cavitation fluid circulatory system is provided. The system provides a means of circulating the cavitation fluid through a cavitation chamber, before or during cavitation chamber operation, as well as a means of draining and filling the chamber with minimal, if any, exposure of the cavitation fluid to the outside environment. The apparatus includes a network of conduits coupling the cavitation chamber to a cavitation fluid reservoir and at least one external fluid pump. Preferably the cavitation fluid reservoir serves the dual function of fluid reservoir and degassing chamber. Manipulation of various valves within the conduit network allows the cavitation fluid to either be pumped from the reservoir into the cavitation chamber or from the cavitation chamber into the reservoir.

Abstract: A method for initiating cavitation within the fluid within a cavitation chamber is provided. In the cavitation preparatory steps, a hydraulically actuated piston is fully retracted and then the cavitation chamber is isolated. The hydraulic piston is then fully extended after which the chamber is partially opened until a predetermined pressure is obtained. After the chamber is once again isolated, cavities are formed and imploded by retracting and then extending the cavitation piston. At least one impeller, located within the cavitation chamber, is rotated in order to stabilize the cavities.

Abstract: A method for initiating cavitation within the fluid within a cavitation chamber is provided. In the cavitation preparatory steps, a hydraulically actuated piston is fully retracted and then the cavitation chamber is isolated. The hydraulic piston is then fully extended after which the chamber is partially opened until a predetermined cavitation piston position is obtained. After the chamber is once again isolated, cavities are formed and imploded by retracting and then extending the cavitation piston. At least one impeller, located within the cavitation chamber, is rotated in order to stabilize the cavities.

Abstract: An acoustic driver assembly for use with any of a variety of cavitation chamber configurations, including spherical and cylindrical chambers as well as chambers that include at least one flat coupling surface. The acoustic driver assembly includes at least one transducer, a head mass and a tail mass. The end surface of the head mass is shaped to limit the contact area between the head mass of the driver assembly and the cavitation chamber to which the driver is attached, the contact area being limited to a centrally located contact region. The area of contact is controlled by limiting its size and/or shaping its surface.

Abstract: An acoustic driver assembly for use with any of a variety of cavitation chamber configurations, including spherical and cylindrical chambers as well as chambers that include at least one flat coupling surface, is provided. The acoustic driver assembly includes at least one transducer, a head mass and a tail mass. The end surface of the head mass is shaped so that only a ring of contact is made between the outer perimeter of the head mass of the driver assembly and the cavitation chamber to which the driver is attached. The area of the contact ring is controlled by shaping its surface.