HYDROGENATION DURING ADIABATIC CAVITATION IN A HYDROCARBON MEDIUM

Abstract

It was shown theoretically [1, 2] that diamond can be synthesized in nature during adiabatic cavitation, which takes place, for instance, in a rapidly ascending kimberlite melt. Solid particles containing diamond nanocrystals were obtained in experiments on cavitation in a benzol medium [3]. The adiabatic collapse of cavitation bubbles was provided by the pressure drop at the front of a shock wave generated in the collapse zone. All solid particles had almost spherical shape, and their size varied from 10 to 17 μm. This particle size distribution was responsible for the minimal diameter of bubbles after the termination of their adiabatic compression. The shape of particles indicates that the collapse of bubbles was a symmetric process; i.e., bubbles underwent an instantaneous confining compression up to final size without change of their spherical shape.