Sonochemical reaction engineering

Sonochemical enhancement of reaction rates is caused by a phenomenon called cavitation. Therefore, we largely confine the treatment in this chapter to the chemical and reaction engineering (scale-up) aspects of cavitation and its associated effects (see Shah et al., 1999, for a detailed treatment). An alternative means of achieving the same result is by mimicking the ultrasonic effect by inducing hydrodynamic cavitation. Because of the practical importance of this technique, we conclude the chapter by outlining its main features. 

In closing this overview, it is important to emphasize that the three fields mentioned above need not be the only fields. As CRE encompasses more and more chemistry-based disciplines into its fold, the nnmber of field equations is likely to increase. For instance, when reaction engineers looked at electrochemical processes, they found the need to inclnde a set of equations defining the electrochemical field in the analysis and design of electrochemical reactors. Similarly, when sonochanical reactions were added, a new set of equations defining the sonochemical field had to be added, and so on. 

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