Review of high-power ultrasound-industrial applications and measurement methods

Abstract

Applications involving high-power ultrasound are expanding rapidly as ultrasonic intensification opportunities are identified in new fields. This is facilitated through new technological developments and an evolution of current systems to tackle challenging problems. It is therefore important to continually update both the scientific and commercial communities on current system performance and limitations. To achieve this objective, this paper addresses two key aspects of high-power ultrasonic systems. In the first part, the review of high-power applications focuses on industrial applications and documents the developing technology from its early cleaning applications through to the advanced sonochemistry, cutting, and water treatment applications used today. The second part provides a comprehensive overview of measurement techniques used in conjunction with high-power ultrasonic systems. This is an important and evolving field which enables design and process engineers to optimize the behavior and/or operation of key metrics of system performance, such as field distribution or cavitation intensity.

Ultrasonic cleaning: An historical perspective

“…Both devices convert the vibrational energy within the bath into electrical signals by the piezoelectric effect. More detailed review of the types of the methods available for the measurement of cavitation activity can be found in two recent publications [25,26].…”

Listening to Ultrasound with a Laser

“…With a small influence on the measured sound-field, PVDF needle hydrophones have become the "gold-standard" in sound-field characterization [1]. A drawback of PVDF sensors is their fragile construction due to the mechanical instability of the inherently thin sensing element.…”

Novel casting TiAl alloy with fine microstructure and excellent performance assisted by ultrasonic melt treatment

“…Unfortunately, casting TiAl alloys always present coarse microstructure, severe segregation and precipitates, which has severely deteriorated mechanical performances and hindered manufacture processes [3,4] . As the microstructure modification and performance enhancement [5,6] , ultrasonic technology has been broadly applied in Al and Mg alloys, which reveal great prospects for the environmental protection and high efficiency [7,8] . However, because of radiator corrosion by high temperature and activity melt [9] , there is rare open literature for the application of ultrasonic technology in TiAl alloys.…”