An ultrasonic treatment chamber and a process for ultrasonically treating
a liquid in an ultrasonic treatment chamber include an elongate,
generally tubular housing having an inlet and an outlet spaced
longitudinally from the inlet. Liquid is directed into the housing at the
housing inlet for longitudinal flow within the housing to the housing
outlet. Mechanical ultrasonic vibration is generated within the housing
in direct contact with the liquid flowing within the housing, with the
direct contact being upstream of the housing outlet. A standing acoustic
wave is produced within the housing with the standing acoustic wave
having a node spaced longitudinally from the housing outlet.