Regular Article

Study of the efficiency of cavitation generating head with water removal system used to remove foulants from metal surface

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, J. Basanavičiaus str. 28, 03224 Vilnius, Lithuania

^* e-mail: vadim.moksin@vilniustech.lt

Received: 15 January 2022
Accepted: 19 May 2022

Abstract

The paper presents a novel, environment-friendly method for removal of foulants from surfaces. Various adhered foulants as solid particles and the like can be detached from surface by cavitating pulsating water jet which is generated in specially designed nozzles and directed on the surface being cleaned. The objectives of this research were to establish fouling removal efficiency of developed cavitation generating head and residual water removal efficiency of its cyclone-type water removal system which is used to remove water residuals from cleaned surface. It was experimentally established that 100% abrasive particle removal efficiency from metal surface is achieved when distance between head outlet and surface is varied from 1 to 8 mm. The most effective is cavitation generating head with water removal system in which the flow is drawn in the same direction as the air flow is supplied inside the head. If this water removal system is used, the average visible water content on the metal surface equals to 1.4%, while when the flow directions are opposite, water content is increased to 27.2%.