Modelling pressure distribution in sonicated ethanol solution using COMSOL simulation

Abstract

Ultrasound application has been reported to assist chemical processes as a result of various physiochemical effects during acoustic cavitation phenomena in a liquid. In this study, acoustic pressure distribution in ethanol solution induced by ultrasonic waves in a sonoreactor was investigated using COMSOL Multiphysics software. The variations of acoustic pressure distribution in ethanol liquid were investigated through a single-phase incompressible model developed by varying the frequency of an ultrasonic transducer. The simulation in COMSOL Multiphysics shows that the acoustic wave emitted from the bottom of the sonoreactor generated multiple layers of high acoustic pressure distribution. The fluctuating pressure magnitude along the sonoreactor shows that constructive interference produced high acoustic pressure region whereas destructive interference resulted in low acoustic pressure. Meanwhile, the distance over sound wave can travel before attenuation occurs is much further at 60 kHz. These results support the theory that wave attenuation is strongly frequency dependent.