Cyanobacteria elimination using hydrodynamic cavitation

abstract

English

Cyanobacteria belong among the oldest organisms on Earth, creating oxygen in the atmosphere and thereby suitable conditions for evolution of life. However they also produce toxins, which are harmful to people and animals, causing allergies, skin irritations, bronchitis, but also liver tumors. Climate changes (increasing temperatures of shallow waters) and eutrophication of water from polluted streams and washed down fertilizers enhance cyanobacteria blooming in many lakes not only in region of central Europe. While remedies in form of chemical additives, which prevent cyanobacteria growth are known, their use is connected with side effects. Physical methods (ultrasonic radiation, mechanical removing) are very difficult to be applied on large volumes of water. Present contribution is about application of hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) on disintegration of cyanobacteria. The research focuses on using HC in real situations (ponds, currents) rather than on laboratory utilization. Several devices were applied to induce cavitation and eliminate cyanobacteria with different success, namely: Venturi tube, orifice, rotating cavitation device and cavitation jet. Experiences with these devices in form of hydraulic characteristics and impact on cyanobacteria will be summarized in the contribution.

cyanobacteria, hydrodynamic cavitation

RUDOLF, P.; POCHYLÝ, F.; MARŠÁLEK, B.; MARŠÁLKOVÁ, E.; HUDEC, M.; ZEZULKA, Š.; KOZÁK, J.; KUBINA, D.

27. 9. 2018

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