CFD simulation of a swirling vortex cavitator and its degradation performance and pathway of tetracycline in aqueous solution

Abstract The vortex cavitation technology shows a great development potential for antibiotic wastewater treatment. We have designed novel swirling cavitator tetracycline degradation in aqueous solution. By Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation using ANSYS CFX flow field calculation software, it was found that the could form low-pressure area far lower than saturated vapor pressure at experimental temperature, resulting generation of obvious effect, which also proved by concentration hydroxyl radical 4.58 μmol/L measured methylene blue method. Moreover, process may be mainly caused oxidation radicals. batch experiments results showed when time 30 min, had good ability pH range 5.0–9.0. efficiency 2.0 mg/L solution 76.45% within 50 min 7.0. possible intermediate products were determined HPLC-MS Spectrometry. A series reactions including hydroxylation, decarbonylation and C–N bond cleavage, ring-opening, removing two methyl groups carbon atom ring, occur during degradation.