Treatment of marine microorganisms using underwater shock waves driven by imploding detonation

Abstract

Effects of underwater shock waves driven by imploding detonation on marine microorganisms have been experimentally studied. The detonation tube was initially charged with a stoichiometric C3H8-O2 mixture, while a test section was filled with water containing marine microorganisms. An initial pressure of the mixture was varied from 100 to 200 kPa. The experimental results show that mortality rate over 80 % is obtained for the maximum pressure more than 150 MPa or the shock energy more than 100 kJ/m2. Double treatment by the underwater shock waves gives mortality rate of almost 100 % even for the low initial pressure of 100 kPa. Around the maximum pressure of 100 MPa, mortality rate is found to increase with the maximum pressure decrease rate.

Keywords

• underwater shock wave
• imploding detonation
• high pressure treatment
• marine microorganism