Chacterization of a 20 kHz sonoreactor.: Part I:: analysis of mechanical effects by classical and numerical methods

Numerical simulations have been carried out in order to characterize the ultrasonic field propagation and to obtain the spatial distribution of the mechanical effect derived from it. The results have been compared with those obtained with different classical physical methods (calorimetry, aluminium foil erosion, thermal probes) and have given useful information about the influence of the presence of probes and auxiliary tools in the ultrasonic field. All these information have been used for the development of the Part 11 of this work: analysis of chemical effects, providing an accurate picture of the reaction environment in the sonoreactor used (20 kHz, 100 W supplied by Undatim) for further uses in sonoelectrochemical studies. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.