Kavitatsiooni

Kavitatsioon refers to the formation, growth, and collapse of bubbles or cavities in a liquid. This phenomenon occurs when the local pressure in a liquid drops below its vapor pressure, causing the liquid to vaporize and form bubbles. As these bubbles move into regions of higher pressure, they rapidly collapse, releasing significant energy.

The process of kavitatsioon is driven by fluid dynamics and can occur in a variety of situations. It is commonly observed in pumps, propellers, and turbines, where rapid changes in fluid velocity can lead to pressure drops. In these mechanical systems, kavitatsioon can cause damage to surfaces due to the intense shockwaves generated by bubble collapse. This damage is often characterized by pitting and erosion.

Beyond its detrimental effects in machinery, kavitatsioon also has beneficial applications. In medicine, focused ultrasound kavitatsioon is used for non-invasive treatments, such as breaking up kidney stones and in cosmetic procedures for fat reduction. In this medical context, the controlled collapse of microbubbles is carefully managed to target specific tissues without damaging surrounding areas. The principles of kavitatsioon are also explored in various scientific research fields, including hydrodynamics, materials science, and biomedical engineering. Understanding and controlling kavitatsioon is crucial for optimizing the performance of many industrial processes and for developing new therapeutic technologies.