DynaJets® hydrodynamic cavitation is a powerful
and useful mechanism when applied to the remediation and
reuse of water. The chemical and physical phenomena
produced during cavitation bubbles expansion and
collapse can be used for controlled oxidation of organic
compounds in water such as pesticides, dyes, solvents,
pharmaceuticals, personal-care-products, and the killing
of bacteria, algae, and zooplankton.
A number of mechanisms
contribute to the removal of microorganisms
by the DynaJets®
technology including the generation through
bubble dynamics of local shock waves, shear,
high temperatures and pressures, as well as
production of free radicals that result in
oxidation. The DynaJets®
have been shown to effectively
disinfect Escheria coli, Klebsiella,
Pseudomonas, Bacillus subtilis, Total
Coliforms, and heterotrophic bacteria. In
laboratory experiments, the DynaJets®
have achieved a six (6) orders of magnitude
reduction in viable cell counts of E. coli
(initial concentration 1 x 107 colony
forming units/ml) while operating at modest
pressures (tens of psi). Inactivation of B.
subtilis spores and efficient disinfection
of bacteria in municipal wastewater and
aquaculture wastewater have been
demonstrated. Reduction of
E. coli and B. subtilis colony forming unit vs. time
when the contaminated water is treated using the DynaJets®
nozzles at 40 psi. The DynaJets®
are also effective in treating higher organisms such as
algae, zooplankton and zebra mussel larvae. The DynaJets®
have been used to rupture the cell walls of microalgae
and to recover the triglycerides from the algae. A single
pass through a DynaJets®
nozzle was sufficient to kill 99% of Zebra mussel larvae
and 96% of brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana) nauplii.
The
photo on the left is a live Brine Shrimp larva prior to
cavitation. The photo on the right is a dead larva after
a single cycle through a DynaJets®
nozzle at 60 psi, 96% of the larva were killed in a
single pass.
