Synergistic effects of trace concentrations of hydrogen peroxide used in a novel hydrodynamic cavitation device allows for selective removal of cyanobacteria

journal article in Web of Science

en

Here, we present an improved and verified rotating hydrodynamic cavitation device (RHCD) inspired by so-called cavitation heaters. The cavitation efficiency of the device is adjustable by rotation speed and flow rate and can be modified for selective removal of cyanobacteria from water with only temporal effect on algal growth or metabolic activity. Previous hydrodynamic cavitation devices have required several cycles to achieve cyanobacterial elimination (12–200 cycles, 5–200 min of treatment), while the RHCD is capable to remove 99% of cyanobacteria after a single cycle lasting 6 s. The device efficiency at cyanobacterial removal was synergistically enhanced through the addition of trace concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (45–100 µM H2O2), levels 10–1000 times lower than those used in previous studies. The RHCD is also capable to increase temperature, an additional advantage for potential technological applications. We discuss the potential use of this device over a broad spectrum of technological processes, and especially regarding the addition of hydrogen peroxide, ozone, or ferrates, which could open new areas in advanced oxidation technologies. It could also be used as an alternative or as a complement to sonochemical, microwave-assisted or electrochemical methods in chemical engineering processes requiring treatment of large volumes of liquids.

Here, we present an improved and verified rotating hydrodynamic cavitation device (RHCD) inspired by so-called cavitation heaters. The cavitation efficiency of the device is adjustable by rotation speed and flow rate and can be modified for selective removal of cyanobacteria from water with only temporal effect on algal growth or metabolic activity. Previous hydrodynamic cavitation devices have required several cycles to achieve cyanobacterial elimination (12–200 cycles, 5–200 min of treatment), while the RHCD is capable to remove 99% of cyanobacteria after a single cycle lasting 6 s. The device efficiency at cyanobacterial removal was synergistically enhanced through the addition of trace concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (45–100 µM H2O2), levels 10–1000 times lower than those used in previous studies. The RHCD is also capable to increase temperature, an additional advantage for potential technological applications. We discuss the potential use of this device over a broad spectrum of technological processes, and especially regarding the addition of hydrogen peroxide, ozone, or ferrates, which could open new areas in advanced oxidation technologies. It could also be used as an alternative or as a complement to sonochemical, microwave-assisted or electrochemical methods in chemical engineering processes requiring treatment of large volumes of liquids.

Cyanobacterial bloomsAlgaeWater treatmentChemical technologyHydrodynamic cavitationHydrogen peroxide

15.02.2020

1385-8947

382

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