Comparison of the cavitation activity of ethanol and acetic acid as ultrasonic cleaning solution

EUGENE O. IMBANG, LJ JESSE A. MACADANGDANG, FRED RIC C. SARA, and MARIA MILAGROSA A. NULLA
Philippine Science High School – Western Visayas Campus, Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute, Philippines

Abstract
Ethanol and acetic acid are chemicals recommended for industrial cleaning purposes, yet a knowledge gap exists on the cavitation activity of either chemicals, which indicates ultrasonic cleaning efficiency. The study compared the cavitation activity of ethanol and acetic acid using Foil Test Method of Crawford (1964). The objective measured and compared the eroded area of the foil after being subjected to ultrasonic cleaning under the respective chemical solution for certain time intervals. The foil, 10 cm x 8cm, were exposed to different time intervals – 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 seconds with three trials for each interval. The foil was then photographed. The eroded area of the foil was measured using ImageJ™ software. The mean area per trial were analyzed. The data yielded p=0.0351 > 0.05 and t=3.224 > critical value=2.776, indicating a significant difference between the area of foil erosion caused by the two chemicals.

Keywords: cavitation, ultrasound, ultrasonic cleaning, ethanol, acetic acid