Chemical Applications of Electrohydraulic Cavitation for Hazardous Waste Control

Abstract

We have been investigating the fundamental chemistry and physics underlying the application of electrohydraulic cavitation as induced by pulsed-power plasma discharge in water, by spark-gap discharge in water (i.e., lithotripsy) and by pulsed (and/or continuous) ultrasonic irradiation (i.e., sonolysis) of water for the elimination of chlorinated hydrocarbons from water. These three different applications of electric power share a common physical thread, which involves hydraulic cavitation, production of shock waves, release of high energy light, production of hydroxyl radicals, hydrogen atoms, hydrogen peroxide and aquated electrons. The chemical changes of compounds in water pulsed with these different sources of power are induced in part by the violent collapse of cavitation bubbles.