EP1957862A2 - Vaporisateurs a force capillaire perfectionnes - Google Patents

Vaporisateurs a force capillaire perfectionnes

Info

Publication number
EP1957862A2
EP1957862A2 EP06844716A EP06844716A EP1957862A2 EP 1957862 A2 EP1957862 A2 EP 1957862A2 EP 06844716 A EP06844716 A EP 06844716A EP 06844716 A EP06844716 A EP 06844716A EP 1957862 A2 EP1957862 A2 EP 1957862A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
liquid
vapor
cfv
porous member
pressure
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP06844716A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1957862A4 (fr
EP1957862B1 (fr
Inventor
Charles H. Sellers
Warren S. Breslau
Erick M. Davidson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
VAPORE LLC
Original Assignee
Vapore Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Vapore Inc filed Critical Vapore Inc
Publication of EP1957862A2 publication Critical patent/EP1957862A2/fr
Publication of EP1957862A4 publication Critical patent/EP1957862A4/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1957862B1 publication Critical patent/EP1957862B1/fr
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F22—STEAM GENERATION
    • F22B—METHODS OF STEAM GENERATION; STEAM BOILERS
    • F22B1/00—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method
    • F22B1/28—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method in boilers heated electrically

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the vaporization of liquids and the pressurization of vapors in capillary force vaporizers. More particularly, the invention relates to new developments in the assembly and configuration of capillary force vaporizers, as well as systems and methods that incorporate these new features.
  • Vaporization devices have been designed to vaporize liquids and release the resulting vapor under pressure.
  • prior art devices generally require that liquid be supplied to the device under pressure, or that the vapor is otherwise pressurized by external means.
  • liquids are generally required to be supplied under at least as much pressure as that of the produced vapor.
  • Pressurized liquid sources are usually inconvenient to use, heavy to transport, potentially explosive, and prone to leakage. It is desirable, for many applications, to produce pressurized vapor streams directly from liquids that are either at or near atmospheric pressure.
  • capillary pumps capillary vaporization modules or capillary force vaporizers.
  • These devices all generate pressurized vapor directly from unpressurized liquid by applying heat to cause liquid to boil within a capillary member, and by at least partially constraining the evolved vapor to allow pressure to increase. Vapor exits the device through one or more orifices as a high velocity jet.
  • Other features, which these devices have in common, are that they all are thermally powered, compact, and generally have no moving parts, thereby offering certain advantages over other techniques used for liquid vaporization and vapor pressurization.
  • capillary pumps capillary vaporization modules, capillary force vaporizers as well as devices and systems in which they may be incorporated are variously described in: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,162,046, 6,347,936 and 6,585,509 to Young, et al; U.S. Pat. No.6,634,864 to Young, et al; U.S. Ser. No. 10/6981,067 to Young, et al; U.S. Ser. No. 11/355,461 to Rabin, et al; and PCT/US2006/018696 to Rabin, et al.
  • the foregoing devices are primarily intended for use in converting non-pressurized liquid into vapor, where the vapor that is generated by the capillary device is ejected at pressures that are near atmospheric pressure.
  • the ability to generate vapor at pressures higher than atmospheric pressure is desirable for a number of reasons.
  • the present invention therefore, provides advanced capillary force vaporizers for use in various types of environments under a variety of operating parameters.
  • the present invention seeks to overcome certain limitations of, and provide advanced features over prior art capillary force vaporizers (CFVs) for the vaporization of liquids and the generation of pressurized vapor.
  • CFVs capillary force vaporizers
  • the CFVs described herein are suitable for use under a variety of operating parameters. These operating parameters include, but are not necessarily limited to: reliability over time in cases where a CFV device is used intermittently; increases in time intervals during which a CFV is in active operation; variations in power density to the CFV; using different liquid feed or feed combinations; changes in environmental operating conditions; and so on.
  • the capillary force vaporizers of the present invention also feature novel operating parameters that provide better reliability and improved responses to changes in input heat and power, in addition to offering other advantages over prior art devices as will be discussed in greater detail below.
  • FIG. 1 is a graph of bubble point versus flow rate for water through a variety of monolithic materials evaluated according to the present invention at a feed pressure of about 0.14 kg-f/cm 2 (2 psi);
  • FIG. 2 is a bar graph showing maximum power test results for various monolithic porous materials evaluated according to the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is a plot of heater temperature versus time for a non-preferred CFV operating at 100 Watts
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic cross sectional view of a capillary force vaporizer according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic cross sectional view of a capillary force vaporizer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic cross sectional view of a capillary force vaporizer according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
  • a liquid was fed into or positioned within the device at or near atmospheric pressure.
  • the liquid feed was generally a fuel or combustible material, and the purpose for the capillary pump or capillary vaporization module was the generation of flames for cooking or for providing light. Accordingly, the devices were typically operated at temperatures that exhibited flame temperatures up to about 1090 0 C (2000° F), with the surface of the device reaching temperatures in excess of about 350° C (660° F).
  • these prior art devices were prone to failure modes due to combustion of the very materials they attempted to vaporize and burn. Often, the devices would become clogged with the liquid fuel feed being used. Worse yet, many devices were prone to cracking due to constraints placed upon device components by the very nature of the peripheral glaze used in attempts to seal and pressurize the device.
  • capillary force vaporizers (referred to herein as CFVs) have surprisingly been shown to be amenable for use in a larger variety of application areas. Many of these involve operation at temperatures much lower than capillary devices of the prior art, namely at temperatures of 250° C, preferably below 200° C and often below about 150° C.
  • CFV devices have been shown to be useful with non-fuel feedstocks such as: triethylene glycol; insecticides such as allethrin and transflutherin; inhalation wellness compounds such as eucalyptus oil, menthol and camphor oil; water; perfumes, fragrances, fragrance mixtures and scenting compositions; solvents such as isopropyl alcohol, toluene and acetone; mixtures for fuel cell feedstocks such as methanol-water mixtures; and saline solutions.
  • non-fuel feedstocks such as: triethylene glycol; insecticides such as allethrin and transflutherin; inhalation wellness compounds such as eucalyptus oil, menthol and camphor oil; water; perfumes, fragrances, fragrance mixtures and scenting compositions; solvents such as isopropyl alcohol, toluene and acetone; mixtures for fuel cell feedstocks such as methanol-water mixtures; and saline solutions.
  • non-fuel feedstocks which may also be used with CFVs of the present invention include, but are not necessarily limited to: nicotine formulations, for example, those used for smoking cessation as well as for tobacco alternative applications; formulations containing morphine, tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, and other pain management compounds; formulations containing substances traditionally inhaled or ingested through smoking; various glycol ethers formulations such as those used, for example, in eye wetting and eye lubrication applications; as well as various antihistamine formulations, for example, those containing loratadine, which may be useful in treating allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis and pink eye; as well as combinations of any of the foregoing. Feedstocks hi addition to those enumerated above may also be used with CFVs of the present invention. Accordingly, the preceding list is intended to provide representative examples of CFV feedstocks and should not be regarded as exhaustive.
  • a CFV comprises a porous member and a heat source such as a heater.
  • the porous member further comprises an insulator and an optional vaporizer.
  • the heater further comprises one or more orifices for the release of vapor, and a grooved surface in heat-exchanging contact with the porous member for the collection of vapor and the concomitant increase in vapor pressure.
  • a CFV may also comprise a mechanical force generator or retainer useful for maintaining the porous member and heater in heat-exchanging contact.
  • the type of retainer contemplated for use herein may comprise: tensioning devices such as spring clips, clamps and clamping devices; friction fittings; snap closures; bayonet attachments; threaded screw closures; twist-lock closures; as well as the various types of spring systems known to those skilled in the art, including conical washers, wavy washers, bent leaf springs and coil springs; welding; chemical, physical or mechanical bonding; sintering; chemical reaction; as well as combinations of any of the foregoing.
  • tensioning devices such as spring clips, clamps and clamping devices; friction fittings; snap closures; bayonet attachments; threaded screw closures; twist-lock closures; as well as the various types of spring systems known to those skilled in the art, including conical washers, wavy washers, bent leaf springs and coil springs; welding; chemical, physical or mechanical bonding; sintering; chemical reaction; as well as combinations of any of the foregoing.
  • a threaded screw closure or a twist lock closure may be
  • gravity in the form of the earth's gravitational forces may also comprise one form of retainer acceptable for use with the CFVs of the present invention.
  • retainer acceptable for use with the CFVs of the present invention.
  • a CFV as contemplated herein may also optionally comprise a housing.
  • a housing may be useful for situating the CFV within or as part of a larger instrument, device, engine or apparatus; for ease in positioning a CFV in close proximity to heater control components; for convenience in situating a CFV in a particular location within a room; and so on.
  • Various types of devices that may incorporate a CFV according to the present invention, particularly with respect to inline humidification, are described in U.S. Ser. No. 00/000,000 to Weinstein, et al, filed 30 November 2006 for Inline Vaporizer.
  • capillary forces transport a liquid towards a heat source.
  • the heat source vaporizes the liquid, such that it is emitted from the CFV at or slightly above atmospheric pressure. Liquid must be delivered to the heat source such that vaporization can occur in a controlled fashion. At the same time, heat and excessive vapor must be prevented from migrating from the heat source to the liquid to prevent failure of the CFV.
  • Early prior art capillary devices that were used with combustible liquid feeds for heating, lighting and cooking applications comprised a wicking member and a heat source. The wicking member delivered the fuel to the heat source, but these early prior art devices produced insufficient fuel vapor for the intended application(s). It was postulated that the wicking member was unable to prevent excessive heat and pressurized vapor from traveling from the heater towards the direction of incoming liquid feed, thus resulting in diminished amounts of vapor being generated for combustion purposes.
  • the wicking member was fashioned from material having smaller pores. It was postulated that the smaller pores would result in higher capillary pressures realized in the wicking member and thereby prevent excessive vapor from migrating from the heater towards the liquid feed. However, the pores of these wicking members were too small, resulting in unacceptably higher capillary forces. The result was that the capillary devices that incorporated such wicking members essentially transmitted fuel at insufficient rates.
  • a wicking member with larger pores was used in addition to the wicking member that had smaller pores.
  • the region with smaller pores is referred to herein as a vaporizer layer or vaporizer, white the region with larger pores is referred to herein as an insulation layer or insulator.
  • the vaporizer and insulator comprise the porous member.
  • the insulator conducts liquid feed towards the heater or heat source via capillary forces for vaporization of the liquid without permitting too much heat from flowing from the heater towards the advancing liquid feed.
  • the overall dimensions, capillary pore size and liquid feed are all factors to be considered in optimizing a given insulator for a particular application.
  • the region of the insulator that is contacted by the heater serves as the region in which vaporization of the liquid feed occurs within the capillary pores of the insulator.
  • the absence of a vaporizer layer is not the most efficient technique for blocking gas generated from the liquid feed from moving away from the heater and through the insulator towards the incoming liquid feed.
  • the vapor generated by a CFV exhibits less homogeneity in vapor form and droplet size. Sputtering and emission of nonvaporized liquid may also occur.
  • a device for the generation of pressurized vapor from unpressurized liquid comprises: a) a porous member further comprising an insulator and an optional vaporizer, including a surface for receiving the liquid and an area for the pressurization of vapor that is produced from the liquid; b) a heater for conveying heat to the porous member for vaporizing the liquid, the heater further comprising an area for the collection of vapor and at least one orifice for release of the vapor at a velocity greater than zero; c) a retainer for situating the heater in heat-exchanging contact with the porous member; and d. optionally, a housing; wherein the porous member draws the liquid towards the heater via capillary forces.
  • the bubble point of a material refers to a specific test hi which air is forced through a porous material that has been saturated with a liquid.
  • the pressure at which a bubble of the liquid starts to form at a surface of the porous material due to gas permeation of the saturated material is known as the bubble point.
  • Common porous materials include simple paper filters, gas diffusers, construction materials such as bricks, etc. The foregoing have very large pores and it is very easy to force a liquid through them. This is because any surface tension due to wetting of the pores by a liquid passing through the pores is relatively easily overcome. In these instances, the pressure required to initiate gas flow through the porous material can be very low.
  • FIG. 1 The results of bubble point studies for several of the foregoing materials are shown in FIG. 1.
  • the sample numbers and corresponding data for the materials evaluated in FIG. 1 are provided in Table 2 below.
  • the evaluations were carried out at a pressure of about 0.14 kg-f/cm 2 (2 psi) with water as the liquid feed.
  • the materials were evaluated in the form of monolithic disks shaped 2 cm in diameter with a height of 1 cm.
  • 1 lies between flow rates of 0.01 to 10 cnrVsec, more preferably between 0.1 and 5 cm 3 /sec, and most preferably between 0.5 and 3 cmVsec having bubble points of 0.001 to 10 kg-f/cm 2 , more preferably 0.01 to 0.5 kg-fcm 2 , and most preferably between 0.025 to 0.2 kg-f/cm 2 .
  • bubble point and flow rate may be desirable.
  • certain humidif ⁇ cation applications require a bubble point on the order of about 0.01 to 0.15 kg-f/cm 2 and a flow rate or permeability of 1 cm 3 /sec when a pressure of 1400 kg/m 2 is applied to a disk 2 cm in diameter and 1 cm thick.
  • the bubble point of a material does not depend upon the thickness of the material, but rather on the maximum through pore size.
  • the permeability generally diminishes as the thickness of the material is increased.
  • the thickness of a material can be manipulated. This is one reason why different vaporizer thicknesses may be used where it is desirable to prevent the buildup of too much backpressure within a porous member. See the discussions above describing the use of CFVs with fuels and combustible liquids.
  • an insulator In the case of an insulator, by contrast, regardless of the material chosen, the insulator cannot be too thin or the temperature of the CFV will be excessive.
  • An appropriate length for an insulator is that which, when fluid passes through it during vaporization, it can provide sufficient cooling to allow the CFV to remain at a temperature well below the boiling point of the fluid. In this manner, vapor should be produced only near the heat source and the vapor generated by the CFV is ejected mostly through the orifice.
  • the optimal thickness chosen for a particular insulator will necessarily depend upon such parameters as the nature of the fluid to be vaporized, the duration of operation for the CFV, the liquid flow rate and necessary power level required, and the thermal conductivity of the material.
  • a CFV can be fashioned with more than one material comprising the porous member, as in the combination of an insulator and optional vaporizer, discussed above for fuel and combustible liquids. It should be noted that the proper combination of materials for insulator and vaporizer can be achieved in various ways using one or more components which vary in pore size distribution and other properties.
  • porous members comprising insulators and optionally, vaporizers
  • Materials with finer pores, and therefore higher bubble points are situated adjacent to the heat source while materials having larger pores, and thus higher permeability, are situated remotely from the heat source.
  • the finer pore region can supply the necessary capillary force and provide sufficient permeability even when relatively thin in comparison to the insulator thickness at a given diameter.
  • the larger pore region tends to be thicker, so as to provide adequate thermal insulation.
  • Porous members may therefore comprise materials with constant pore sizes as well as materials with varying pore sizes, such as graded materials, in which pore sizes vary when transversing from a first surface to a second surface across the material.
  • Composite structures that contain combinations of fine poor and large poor regions can arise, for example, from a single material containing a distribution of pore sizes that may be introduced during the manufacturing process. The result is a "graded" material, as there is a gradient in the pore size distribution in moving through the material. Graded materials may also be created in a multi-step process in which fine pore material is integrally bonded to the larger pore material. Alternately, the same result may be achieved by using two distinct components that are in intimate contact with each other.
  • Permeability and bubble point alone are not sufficient parameters for predicting suitability for components in all CFVs 5 but they can be used to evaluate materials as new materials are developed. Other parameters that may be important factors can include evaluation of energy densities that a material can accommodate for high performance CFV applications, for instance.
  • FIG- 2 Several monolithic materials that were evaluated for maximum sustainable power levels are shown in FIG- 2. The materials were evaluated in the form of 20 mm diameter discs with a height of 10 mm. Note that replicates of trials are included in FIG. 2 for samples numbered four and eight.
  • V ; o indicates adequate performance; +" indicates good performance; and indicates very good performance
  • Table 3 The materials that were evaluated for inclusion in Table 3 are: ZAL-45AA; Mott Grade 5; AF6; AF 15; AF30; AF50; and MeAF3; additional information for which can be found in Table 1 above.
  • the results provided above in Table 3 indicate that not all porous materials are equally suitable for the development of high performanpe CFVs. Those samples that demonstrated the most favorable characteristics in Table 3 above include samples 5 and 8, which correspond to AF30 and MeAF3, respectively.
  • a capillary device for the generation of pressurized vapor from unpressurized liquid comprises an insulator characterized by material selected from among: ZAL-45AA, Mott Grade 5, AF6, AF 15, AF30, AF50, MeAF3, Micromass, T-Cast, P-IO-C, P-16-C, P-40-C and P-55-C; more preferably selected from among: ZAL-45AA, Mott Grade 5, AFl 5, AF30, AF50, MeAF3, Micromass, T-Cast, P-40-C and P-55-C; and most preferably selected from among: AF30 and MeAF3.
  • FIG. 3 shows what can happen in instances where a CFV is inadequately vented.
  • the graph shown in FIG. 3 is a plot of heater temperature versus time for a CFV operating at 100 Watts.
  • the increase in CFV heater temperature was accompanied by the formation of bubbles over time. Note that the heater temperature climbed while a constant power level was maintained, until the bubbles had a chance to escape. The temperature then immediately dropped and new bubbles started to accumulate.
  • This thermal cycling process is detrimental to good control of the vaporization process, and can produce unnecessary strain on the power supply and control circuit. It can cause undesirable stress on CFV components, as well as place the CFV at risk for overheating and ultimately, failure.
  • CFV CFV
  • Various modifications can be contemplated for the CFV either to prevent bubbles from accumulating or to provide with an easy escape route in the event of bubble formation.
  • Those familiar with the problem of gas generation and bubble formation will understand that too close a fit between the CFV porous member and a device housing can constrain bubbles. Accordingly, it is advisable to design the local environment of the CFV properly.
  • a region can be provided between the porous member and the housing that is either continuous or discontinuous, such that evolving bubbles can be directed or channeled out of the CFV as quickly as possible. This may be accomplished, for example, by creating channels or gaps in continuous or selected portions of the device containment perimeter.
  • the gap can be either fluid filled or contain a gas.
  • a wide variety of configurations can be used to remedy the situation of bubble formation. Additionally, there may be features on the CFV housing, adjacent to the lower portion of the porous member or insulator thereof, which direct bubbles forming here to the device perimeter, so that they can escape. Another alternative approach is to reduce the height of the CFV container or housing, so that it does not entirely cover the peripheral area of the CFV, so that gas bubbles are easily dispersed into the ambient environment, away from the CFV.
  • FIG.4 An example of a non-vented CFV is shown schematically in FIG.4 at 400, while FIG. 5 shows a schematic of a vented CFV at 500 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 An alternate example of a CFV according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically in FIG. 6 at 600. Note that like reference numbers are used throughout the figures to represent similar parts or features of the drawings.
  • FIG. 4 the device at 400 illustrates one example of a capillary force vaporizer according to the present invention.
  • a porous member for the delivery of liquid feed via capillary forces comprises insulator 404 and optional vaporizer 402.
  • the porous member is in intimate contact with a heater, which further comprises heating element 406 and heat exchanger 408.
  • Heating element 406 is in intimate contact with heat exchanger 408, which includes orifice 410 for the emission of pressurized vapor from vapor that collects and becomes pressurized at vapor collection channels 412, situated at the interface between the porous member and the heater (not labeled).
  • Electrical leads 414 connect heating element 406 to a power supply (not shown).
  • housing 420 is in continuous and intimate contact with the heater and porous member components of device 400 along housing wall 422.
  • housing 420 differs slightly from that shown for device 400 in FIG. 4.
  • housing walls 422 of housing 420 are disposed at a distance somewhat remote from the porous member and heater components of 500, resulting in the inclusion of an opening or gap 524 therebetween.
  • gap 524 has surprisingly afforded significant advantages in operability and longevity for device 500 over device 400 and similar capillary force vaporizers of the prior art, as described above.
  • gap 524 need not be very large in order to impart significant operating enhancements to a CFV as compared devices that lacks a gap.
  • a gap comprising a total spacing of between approximately 3 mm, preferably 2 mm, and most preferably 1 mm between a CFV and housing wall 422 has been found to be adequate for those applications in which housings are needed, used or desired. If the gap is too large, there tends to be insufficient surface tension of the bubbles that may arise from within the CFV. The result is that the bubbles are unable to bridge gap 524 between the CFV and housing wall 422. This can result in a tendency for feed liquid to leak out of the device if placed in an inverted position, especially where water is the liquid feed.
  • gap 524 is shown schematically in FIG. 5. It should be recognized lhat no one particular shape or configuration of spacing between a CFV and housing wall is contemplated, and the shape, placement and dimensions of gap 524 in FIG. 5 are for purposes of illustration only. In fact, a number of different configurations have been tried and evaluated. If viewed from above the CFV, that is, along an imaginary line in the plane of the paper from the top to the bottom of the illustration in FIG. 5, the configuration can best be described as: concentric circles; a circular array of 3 or 4 channels similar to a 3- or 4- leafed clover; a circular array comprised of many channels; and so forth. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, housing wall 422 and gap 524 are disposed in concentric configuration about a central CFV device, respectively.
  • FIG. 6 An alternate embodiment for a CFV is illustrated at 600 in FIG. 6.
  • This device differs from 500 in FIG. 5 in that housing wall 622 is shorter and therefore does not conceal or shield as much of the CFV as compared to housing wall 422 of FIG. 5.
  • housing wall 622 can have a null height. That is, housing 420 may comprise a disk with ledge 418 upon which a CFV is situated. In such a case, there is no gap, and the CFV has an essentially infinitely open configuration. The only requirement in this case is that there be some point of attachment or anchor means for providing the necessary mechanical force to hold the various CFV components together.
  • a device for the generation of pressurized vapor from unpressurized liquid may comprise: a) a porous member further comprising an insulator and an optional vaporizer, including a surface for receiving the liquid and an area for the pressurization of vapor that is produced from the liquid; b) a heater for conveying heat to the porous member for vaporizing the liquid, the heater further comprising an area for the collection of vapor and at least one orifice for release of the vapor at a velocity greater than zero; c) a retainer for situating the heater in heat-exchanging contact with the porous member; and d) optionally, a housing including a housing wall present at a spacing of 3 mm, preferably 2 mm and most preferably 1 mm from porous member, heater and retainer.
  • a CFV may be regarded as comprising a porous member, a heater and a retainer or mechanical force generator to place the heater and porous member in intimate heat-exchanging contact with one another.
  • the porous member further comprises an insulator and an optional vaporizer and the heater further comprises a vapor collection region and at least one orifice for the release of vapor.
  • a capillary force vaporizer may comprise: a) a porous member, further comprising an insulator and an optional vaporizer; b) a heater; and c) a retainer for situating the heater in heat-exchanging contact with the porous member; wherein the retainer may be selected from among: the gravitational force of the earth; tensioning devices such as spring clips, clamps and clamping devices; friction fittings; snap closures; bayonet attachments; threaded screw closures; twist-lock closures; as well as the various types of spring systems known to those skilled in the art, including conical washers, wavy washers, bent leaf springs and coil springs; welding; chemical, physical or mechanical bonding; sintering; glazing; chemical reaction; as well as combinations of any of the foregoing.
  • an apparatus for the generation of a vapor jet from a liquid for use in an environment having pressure at a first pressure above atmospheric pressure comprises: a) a porous member including a surface for receiving the liquid and an area for the pressurization of vapor that is produced from the liquid; and b) a heater for conveying heat to the porous member for vaporizing the liquid, the heater further comprising an area for the collection of vapor and at least one opening for release of the vapor at a velocity greater than zero; wherein the liquid is present at a pressure of at least that of the first pressure.
  • a technique for the generation of pressurized vapor in environments having pressures at a first pressure above atmospheric pressure can be contemplated as comprising the steps of: a) pressurizing a source of liquid feed to a second pressure; and b) providing the pressurized liquid feed to a capillary force vaporizer, the capillary force vaporizer comprising: i) a porous member further comprising an insulator including a surface for receiving the liquid feed and an optional vaporizer, including a vaporization area for the collection and pressurization of vapor that is produced from the liquid; and ii) a heater component for conveying heat to the porous member for the vaporization of the liquid and at least one opening for release of the vapor at a velocity greater than zero; wherein the second pressure is at least equal to the first pressure.

Abstract

L'invention concerne la vaporisation de liquides et la pressurisation de vapeurs dans des vaporisateurs à force capillaire. Plus particulièrement, l'invention concerne de nouveaux développements dans l'ensemble et la configuration des vaporisateurs à force capillaire, ainsi que des systèmes et des procédés comprenant de telles fonctions, permettant ainsi d'obtenir des vaporisateurs à force capillaire présentant une facilité d'utilisation et une fiabilité améliorées lors de leur fonctionnement.
EP06844716.8A 2005-12-01 2006-11-30 Dispositif et procédé de génération de vapeur comprimée d'un liquide Expired - Fee Related EP1957862B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US74164605P 2005-12-01 2005-12-01
PCT/US2006/046030 WO2007064909A2 (fr) 2005-12-01 2006-11-30 Vaporisateurs a force capillaire perfectionnes

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EP1957862A2 true EP1957862A2 (fr) 2008-08-20
EP1957862A4 EP1957862A4 (fr) 2014-02-19
EP1957862B1 EP1957862B1 (fr) 2017-01-04

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US (1) US20100142934A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1957862B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP5478070B2 (fr)
CA (1) CA2632209C (fr)
WO (1) WO2007064909A2 (fr)

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US9717880B2 (en) 2012-02-24 2017-08-01 William Henry Ruff Personal airway humidification apparatus and method
US9375546B2 (en) 2012-06-26 2016-06-28 William Henry Ruff Personal airway humidification and oxygen-enrichment apparatus and method
US10119703B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2018-11-06 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Method for low power non-coking liquid hydrocarbon fuel vaporization and supercritical phase change
US20150165146A1 (en) 2013-12-17 2015-06-18 Bruce Bowman Humidification system and positive airway pressure apparatus incorporating same
US20220074586A1 (en) * 2018-09-26 2022-03-10 Vapor, LLC Thin Film Capillary Vaporization: Device and Methods
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EP1957862A4 (fr) 2014-02-19
JP5478070B2 (ja) 2014-04-23
WO2007064909A3 (fr) 2008-11-20
CA2632209C (fr) 2015-09-29
EP1957862B1 (fr) 2017-01-04
US20100142934A1 (en) 2010-06-10
AU2006320418A1 (en) 2007-06-07
CA2632209A1 (fr) 2007-06-07
WO2007064909A2 (fr) 2007-06-07

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