Abstract
The effects of ultrasonic parameters in high frequency ultrasonic atomization system on ethanol enrichment from ethanol-water mixture were investigated. Ethanol enrichments on different concentrations of ethanol-water feed mixtures were conducted in a continuous feed system operating at variable frequency and input power as reported in the previous work. An empirical determination of cavitation intensity in feed solutions sonicated was performed by measuring the amount of iodine liberated from the oxidation of potassium iodide solution. The ethanol concentrations in condensates were dependent on the ultrasonic frequency and the input power. The cavitation intensity in the feed solution was influenced by feed ethanol concentration and ultrasonic frequency. Especially in low feed concentration, the cavitation intensity was significant. This result suggests that cavitation plays an important role in ultrasonic enrichment of ethanol.
