A radial mode ultrasonic horn for the inactivation of Escherichia coli K12

Hunter, G., Lucas, M., Watson, I. and Parton, R. (2008) A radial mode ultrasonic horn for the inactivation of Escherichia coli K12. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 15(2), pp. 101-109. (doi: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2006.12.017)

Abstract

Tuned cylindrical radial mode ultrasonic horns offer advantages over ultrasonic probes in the design of flow-through devices for bacterial inactivation. This study presents a comparison of the effectiveness of a radial horn and probe in the inactivation of Escherichia coli K12. The radial horn is designed using finite element analysis and the predicted modal parameters are validated using experimental modal analysis. A validated finite element model of the probe is also presented. Visual studies of the cavitation fields produced by the radial horn and probe are carried out using luminol and also backlighting to demonstrate the advantages of radial horns in producing a more focused cavitation field with widely dispersed streamers. Microbiological studies show that, for the same power density, better inactivation of E. coli K12 is achieved using the radial horn and, also, the radial horn offers greater achievable power density resulting in further improvements in bacterial inactivation. The radial horn is shown to be more effective than the probe device and offers opportunities to design in-line flow-through devices for processing applications.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Cavitation; Bacterial inactivation; Radial horn; Ultrasonics; <i>E. coli</i>
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Watson, Dr Ian and Parton, Dr Roger and Lucas, Professor Margaret
• Authors: Hunter, G., Lucas, M., Watson, I., and Parton, R.
• Subjects: Q Science > QR Microbiology
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences; College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: Ultrasonics Sonochemistry
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 1350-4177
• ISSN (Online): 1873-2828
• Published Online: 06 February 2008
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2008 Elsevier
• First Published: First published in Ultrasonics Sonochemistry 15(2):101-109
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.