Design and development of a novel magnetic generator of hydrodynamic cavitation

Gostiša, Jurij (author), Dular, Matevž (author), Rihar, Andraž (author), Širok, Brane (author), Vončina, Danijel (author), Zupanc, Mojca (author), Lavrič, Henrik (author)

This article investigates the development and evaluation of a prototype hydrodynamic cavitation generator, driven by the electromagnetically induced linear motion of a hollow piston. This so-called magnetic generator of hydrodynamic cavitation (MGHC) is designed for applications requiring small liquid volumes, with its simplicity being a key advantage. It does not require additional pumps or seals and provides a high level of sample protection against contamination. The electromagnetic drive is designed to generate a strong magnetic field, allowing for rapid acceleration of the piston and periodic generation of pressure pulsations associated with the collapse of cavitation clouds throughout the control volume of the device. In the study, the electrical parameters of the electromagnetic drive, such as voltage, current, and frequency, were adjusted to modify the piston’s motion characteristics, thereby influencing the intensity of cavitation, as reflected in the generation of intense pressure oscillations. Simultaneous pressure measurements and visualisation of cavitation structures show that the piston motion induces intense hydrodynamic cavitation along its entire stroke path, particularly during the collapse phases of cavitation clouds. The results offer qualitative and quantitative analysis of the measured variable interdependence and provide a foundation for parametric studies across different spatial and temporal scales aimed at optimising the device in the future.

• Language: English
• Keywords: hydrodynamic cavitation, rectilinear oscillator, electromagnetic drive, power electronics circuitry, shock waves
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FS - Faculty of Mechanical Engineering; FE - Faculty of Electrical Engineering
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2026
• Number of pages: 9 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 29, art. 109903
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-180465
• UDC: 532.528:621.313.522
• ISSN on article: 2590-1230
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rineng.2026.109903
• COBISS.SI-ID: 270892291
• Publication date in RUL: 10.03.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Results in engineering
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 2590-1230
• COBISS.SI-ID: 529862681

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: hidrodinamska kavitacija, linearni oscilator, eletromagnetni pogon, močnostna elektronska vezja, udarni valovi