César Dopazo, a member of the Royal Academy of Engineering, and Luis Cerecedo, PhD in Engineering from the University of Zaragoza, gave a seminar at Jaume I University on the treatment of contaminated water using cavitation processes. The event was organized by the FACSA Chair of Innovation in the Integrated Water Cycle at Jaume I University and is part of its 'Seminar Thursdays' series.
During the event, some of the possibilities offered by cavitation were highlighted. This process involves water transitioning directly to a gaseous phase due to a sudden drop in pressure, without the need for added heat. Based on this process, César Dopazo and Luis Cerecedo presented several applications of cavitation processes that the Fluid Mechanics Department at the University of Zaragoza has used in projects developed over two decades. These applications allow for the reduction of contaminant concentrations in water without the need for added chemicals. As the speakers pointed out, "when the generated vapor bubbles implode abruptly in the water, they do so with such violence that the pressure and temperature increase dramatically at a specific point, and this is where their power to degrade contaminants in the fluid or its components lies.".
As a result of their research, the presenters have patented a new rotary cavitation device that increases the number of bubble implosion events and reduces treatment times. This has substantially reduced the amount of contaminants in the water, such as ammonia, dodecane, and cyanide, in just 10 minutes of treatment.
The research group led by Professor Dopazo and Luis Cerecedo has used hydrocavitation in different processes and has worked with companies such as FMC Foret or Repsol, or with public administrations such as the government of Zaragoza.
This seminar is part of the training activities organized by the FACSA Chair of Innovation in the Integrated Water Cycle at the UJI. More information at www.catedradelagua.es
