Heat Exchange System for a Cavitation Chamber

Abstract

A method and apparatus for regulating the temperature of the cavitation medium for a cavitation chamber is provided. A heat exchange fluid is pumped through a heat exchange conduit that passes through a portion of the cavitation chamber. An external heat exchanger, couples either directly or indirectly to the heat exchange conduit, regulates the temperature of the heat exchanger fluid which, in turn, regulates the temperature of cavitation medium within the cavitation chamber. The heat exchanger can be used to lower the temperature of the cavitation medium to a temperature less than the ambient temperature; to withdraw excess heat from the cavitation medium; or to heat the cavitation medium to the desired operating temperature. The heat exchanger can utilize heated heat exchange fluid, cooled heat exchange fluid, thermoelectric coolers, heat sinks, refrigeration systems or heaters.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An acoustic cavitation system, comprising:
 a cavitation chamber having solid walls substantially defining an interior volume of said chamber for holding a cavitation medium to be cavitated therein;   one or more acoustic energy sources, in communication with said chamber so as to deliver acoustic energy to said chamber and its contents;   a fluid inlet port for admitting said cavitation medium into said chamber;   a fluid outlet port for discharging said cavitation medium from said chamber; and   a heat exchanger having a heat exchange fluid conduit within said cavitation chamber disposed along said walls of the cavitation chamber within said interior volume of the chamber so as to circulate the heat exchange fluid within said conduit along said walls in the heat exchange fluid conduit and so as to permit exchange of heat between said heat exchange fluid and said cavitation medium.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second heat exchanger disposed outside of said cavitation chamber for removing or introducing heat into said heat exchange fluid by way of said second heat exchanger. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , said heat exchange conduit comprising a plurality of coils wound about an interior surface of said walls of said cavitation chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of said acoustic energy sources mechanically coupled to an outer surface of said walls of said cavitation chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , said heat exchange conduit comprising an inner shell structure disposed along said walls of the cavitation chamber.