Application of Cavitation in Oil Processing: An Overview of Mechanisms and Results of Treatment

[Image: see text] The integrated effect on homogeneous and heterophase liquids that can be used for technological purposes has drawn the attention of researchers in various sciences. Cavitation impact on oil is among the efficient methods of intensifying chemical–technological, hydromechanical, and mass-exchange processes and the destruction of substances. This work reviews in detail and analyzes the mechanisms of impact and application of cavitation in various processes in the petroleum industry, including the refining processes, that are associated with crude oil and petroleum waste, such as reduction of viscosity, demulsification, desulfurization, and improvement of quality of heavy oil and petroleum refinery products, including oil sludge and waste oil-containing water.