under such conditions the energy level at outer surface 32 of inner tube 20 is about 9 5 to about 10 0 watts per square centimeter desirably the average energy level in passageway 16 is greater than about 1 5 watts per square centimeter under these conditions substantially all non elemental compounds in the flowing stream are dissociated the fluids treatable in the method of the present invention comprise any gas or liquid from which it is desired to remove contaminates water is a frequently treated liquid and is readily treated by the method of the present invention the fluids are treated by the method of the present invention by passing the fluids through the passageway and passing the ultrasonic energy into the fluid at the levels discussed above desirably the fluids are retained in the passageway for a time equal to at least about 50 milliseconds example a radial transducer having an inner diameter of 3 0625 inches and a length of 6 inches is used with a tube having an outer diameter of 0 500 inches and a length of 6 inches the radial transducer radiates approximately 600 watts from its inner surface at this power level 1 611 watts per square centimeter of power is.