Cavitation can be effectively used for intensification of chemical processing applications and the degree of intensification depends on operating parameters. A mathematical model has been developed for prediction of cavitational intensity quantified in terms of collapse pressure and temperature. Effect of different solvents and catalyst particles, which are the key controlling parameters for hydrogenation reactions, on cavitational intensity has been investigated. The observed trends have been compared with the experimental investigations. The importance of present work lies in the fact that it provides a pathway for optimization of operating parameters and establishes guidelines for the selection of the same. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.