Controlling size distribution of gas or liquid bubbles - by coupling ultrasound field to the liquid medium which contains the bubbles and using sound frequency and energy chosen to break the bubbles up into smaller bubbles

摘要

A process for controlling the site distribution of gas or liquid bubbles in a liquid medium comprises coupling an ultra sound field to the bubble-contg. liq. medium and selecting the sound frequency and associated energy so that bubbles with diameters which can be determined at these frequencies and energies are set in resonance vibrations until they exceed the ocillation amplitude Ac necessary to break the bubbles up into smaller bubbles. The device for performing the process is also claimed. USE/ADVANTAGE - The prodn. of bubbles of defined max. size in certain liquids is important e.g. in medicine and pharmaceuticals and in other areas of the chemical industry, including th foodstuffs industry and metal industries. There are also possibilities for use in solar energy. The process enables the size of the bubbles to be exactly controlled both in terms of upper and lower limits and is simple. the process is rapid (important in life saving medical diagnoses) and the least possible manipulation of samples is necessary. Thus it is easy to work under the most stringent sterile conditions. the process can also be used to control particle size of liquid-contg. bubble-like globular objects, e.g. liquid droplets, microorganisms or cellular structures. It can be used to destroy microorganisms of a critical diameter. It can be used to produce bubble-contg. solids, by cooling melts contg. bubbles of defined size.