16-14: Controlled Hydrodynamic Cavitation: A Physical Water Softening

Cavitation has long been known to be a powerful force usually associated with unwanted destruction of system components. Controlled cavitation however can yield to beneficial outcomes when applied to water treatment for cooling towers. Cavitation forces calcium to be removed creating a mechanical softener that also destroys bacteria. This redirection of force is currently being employed to eliminate scaling and biofouling successfully in cooling towers around the globe. By coupling this technology with additional filtration, cavitation technology can be adapted to provide non-chemical system water treatment to a variety of fields as well as enhance water savings in drought-stricken areas.