Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Cold steam using ultrasonics

D4RR3N - 2-7-2009 at 08:00

Anybody here experiment with braking down water into cold steam using ultrasonics?

I have seen water humidifiers and fog generators which turn water into cold steam/mist and was wondering what frequency is used?

Is there one specific frequency and how does this work on a molecular level i.e. does the specific frequency relate to molecular resonance (natural frequency of water)

not_important - 2-7-2009 at 08:17

It is just making very small droplets of water through mechanical means, you can do similar with very fine spray nozzles. The frequency is generally chosen to be inaudible to most people.

And "cold steam" is a misnomer, it is simply a mist - a suspension of water droplets in air.


D4RR3N - 2-7-2009 at 10:00

The frequency must be important because the mist will only be generated at specific frequency's

Why would that be?

merrlin - 2-7-2009 at 13:05

Quote: Originally posted by D4RR3N  
The frequency must be important because the mist will only be generated at specific frequency's

Why would that be?


The operating frequency of ultrasonic atomizers is usually at or near the resonant frequency for the structure from which the droplets are emitted. This provides the most efficient coupling of energy.

Twospoons - 2-7-2009 at 14:21

look up 'nebulizer'. frequencies from 500kHz to 2MHz. higher frequencies = smaller droplets.