Organism inactivation method and system
The invention utilizes multiple frequency ultrasound generators driving multiple frequency harmonic transducer arrays at sweeping frequencies. Generator signals that increase cavitation efficiency and that have successive time periods with predominantly stable cavitation and predominantly transient cavitation further improve the performance of the cleaning, microbiological inactivation, sonochemistry or processing systems. Probes that monitor the ultrasound and feedback the information to the generator provide consistency of process.
1 . A method for inactivation of organisms in a liquid comprising:
establishing a sequence of one or more periods of predominantly stable cavitation in said liquid and one or more periods of predominantly transient cavitation in said liquid, said respective periods being sufficient to effect a predetermined inactivation of said organisms.
2 . A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising adding to said liquid one or more microbiologically active chemicals prior to said establishing step.
3 . A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising one or more steps selected from the group consisting of applying multiple ultrasound frequencies to said liquid, applying UV light to said liquid, applying an electric current to said liquid, and adding an electrolyte to said liquid.
4 . A method for inactivation of organisms in an aqueous liquid comprising: adding an electrolyte to said liquid and passing an electric current through said liquid to effect said inactivation of the organisms.
5 . A method for inactivation of organisms in a liquid comprising the step of establishing successive multiple ultrasound frequencies in said liquid to effect the inactivation of the organisms.
6 . A method as claimed in claim 5 further comprising adding to said liquid one or more microbiologically active chemicals prior to said establishing step.
7 . A method for inactivation of organisms in a liquid comprising:
applying concurrent multiple ultrasound frequencies to said liquid to cause cavitation in said liquid to effect the inactivation of the organisms.
8 . A method for inactivation of organisms in a liquid comprising: supplying in series to said liquid, concurrent multiple ultrasound frequencies to cause cavitation to occur in said liquid and successive multiple ultrasound frequencies to cause cavitation to occur in said liquid to effect the inactivation of the organisms.
9 . A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein said concurrent multiple ultrasound frequencies and said successive multiple ultrasound frequencies are produced by two or more multiple bandwidth transducer arrays,
whereby all said transducers in said transducer arrays are adapted to produce said concurrent multiple ultrasound frequencies and said successive multiple ultrasound frequencies.