Turbulence induced by an acoustic field: Application to acoustic agglomeration

Abstract

The efficiency of sonic coagulation and precipitation of particles in an acoustic field is strongly reinforced, above the acoustic intensity corresponding to the enhancement of acoustic turbulence. The aim of this work is to evaluate the turbulence properties of the experimental system in order to calculate the acoustic agglomeration kernels and precipitation rates. The knowledge of the aerodynamic behavior of the fluid allows verification of the presence of turbulence in the system. Turbulence spectra have been measured in order to provide for the evolution of turbulence; the largest structures degenerate into small eddies that are the sites of sonic coagulation. Finally, we evaluate the energy dissipated through heat in the system, which is a parameter representative of turbulence. © 1988 Elsevier Science Publishing Co., Inc.