Optimization of hydrodynamic cavitation using a model reaction

The decomposition of potassium iodide to liberate iodine, the model reaction to study cavitational effects, has been carried out under different cavitational conditions. The effect of various parameters (inlet pressure, flow geometry of orifice plates) on the iodine liberation rate has been studied. It is found that the flow geometry of the orifice plates considerably affects the rate of the iodine liberation. Recommendations are given for the arrangement of the holes in order to achieve maximum benefits from the hydrodynamic cavitation. The experimental results obtained in the present work are very much consistent with the results based on the theoretical model developed for the hydrodynamic cavitation. Due to this fact, it can be said that the model can be extended to any geometry of construction in the hydrodynamic cavitation setup and will be helpful in designing cavitational reactors.