Ultrasonic Treatment

High-Power Ultrasound Technology for Liquid Organic Constituent Disintegration

The fundamental principle behind this technology is the utilization of ultrasound-induced implosions to disintegrate organic materials in liquid media.

The Wave-Box represents a novel development for high-power digestion of fibrous substrates. It incorporates a reversible pump that continuously circulates the digestate through a meticulously engineered piping system, positioning it within the effective range of ultrasound-emitting devices known as “sonotrodes”. The system includes a control unit that allows adjustments of flow rate, pressure, and flushing cycles. Designed to function in a bypass setup, the Wave-Box can be integrated into existing high-performance digesters and Kombi Hydrolysis units, or retrofitted into biogas systems.

Components of the Wave-Box

The primary component of the Wave-Box is an advanced high-power ultrasound system. Additional components include a volumetric flow meter, pressure and volume-controlled pumps, sensors, and flushing pipes, complemented by a self-optimizing and self-monitoring control unit.

Operational Mechanics of the Wave-Box

Ultrasound technology operates at frequencies inaudible to humans, ranging from 20 kHz to several megahertz. When applied in aqueous environments, ultrasound waves generate periodic compressions and expansions within the medium. During the expansion phase, intense ultrasound leads to the formation of minuscule voids within the water. These voids, or cavitation bubbles, fill with vapor or gas, expanding during the tension phases and contracting during the compression phases until they implode—a process known as cavitation. On a microscale, the pressures during cavitation can reach up to 500 bar, which are sufficient to disrupt even the most resilient surfaces.

The Wave-Box utilizes this principle in a patented, continuous-flow ultrasound reactor system that operates at high intensity and amplitude within the lower frequency range (20 to 35 kHz). As biomass enters the effective range of the ultrasound, the organic aggregates are initially broken down, increasing the total surface area of the biomass suspension. Subsequent sonication disrupts cellular structures, releasing enzymes, nutrients, and micronutrients, thereby enhancing the substrate’s availability to microbial digestion.

Advantages of the Wave-Box

The Wave-Box is designed to enhance the breakdown of fiber-rich components within the substrate, improving the efficiency of biochemical hydrolysis. This results in a methane yield increase of 10-20% from the organic content. The enhanced yield significantly outweighs the energy input, with an efficiency gain factor of 12-15 times. This makes the Wave-Box an exceptionally efficient solution for optimizing biogas production processes.

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