Cavitation erosion of the calcium carbonate deposits

The paper presents the research of erosion effects caused by acoustic cavitation on metallic and enamelled specimens coated with calcium carbonate-scale. The deposition of calcium carbonate was performed under controlled laboratory conditions. The deposition took place at the same integral conditions to the specimens of different surface roughness. Cavitation as a cause of erosion was generated in a vessel with ultrasonic excitation. Simultaneously with the monitoring of cavitation above the specimens, the destruction of scale on the surface of specimens was analysed. The results of experiments indicate a characteristic effect of cavitation intensity on the destruction of scale surface layer. The intensity of cavitation erosion is proportional to the voltage on the sonotrode or the intensity of pressure fluctuations, and depends on the roughness of the surface of specimens, on which the scales were deposited. © Copyright 2015 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.