JPH04502665A - Vacuum insulated sorbent driven refrigeration equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Vacuum Insulated Sorvent Driven Refrigeration System Background of the Invention TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to temperature change devices, and more particularly to portable or Relates to disposable food or beverage coolers.

Food products and foodstuffs that may be stored almost indefinitely at average ambient temperatures of 20°C to 25°C. There are many foods and beverages that should be cooled immediately before being consumed. . Generally, these foods and beverages are cooled by electric refrigeration equipment. child It is always practical to use these devices to cool such foods and beverages. Not necessarily. This is because refrigeration equipment generally requires a power source and typically This is because they are not portable and do not cool food and drinks quickly.

An alternative method of providing chilled material on demand is to use portable insulated containers. This is a method to However, these containers simply contain food or beverages before being placed inside. functions solely to maintain the temperature of or provides a desired cooling effect You have to use ice cubes for this. When ice is used, insulated containers are or much bulkier and heavier than a beverage. In addition, in many places cooling Water may not be readily available when needed.

Ice cubes have been used independently to quickly cool food or beverages. but , ice can only be stored for a limited period of time at temperatures above 0°C, so ice is used for cooling purposes. Independent use is often undesirable. Furthermore, if a cooling effect is desired, ice may not be available.

In addition to food and beverage cooling, highly desirable applications for portable chillers include other There are many. Applications in the medical field, including cooling of tissues or organs, surgical procedures Preparation of cold compresses and cryolysis of tissues as part of cooling water or other liquids industrial applications, including on-demand manufacturing, preservation of biological specimens, and protective clothing. These include cooling and cosmetic applications. Portable cooling devices can have wide-ranging utility in all fields.

Most attempts to create self-contained, compact cooling devices involve storage at pressures above atmospheric pressure. refrigerant liquid, whereby the refrigerant vapor is released directly to the atmosphere. I was able to do that. Unfortunately, many of the refrigerant liquids available for such systems are , flammable, toxic, harmful to the environment, or extremely difficult to exist in liquid form. must be under high pressure and therefore pose an explosion hazard in quantities suitable for the intended purpose. Either shown. Conversely, emissions (such as carbon dioxide) into the atmosphere cannot be tolerated. Other available refrigerant liquids have relatively low heat capacities and latent heats of vaporization. So As a result, some of the cooling devices that emit carbon dioxide are too bulky to be portable. Commercially unacceptable as a device.

An alternative method for providing a cooling effect in a portable device is from a chamber where evaporation occurs. A method of absorbing or adsorbing refrigerant vapor in a separate chamber. like this In systems, the refrigerant liquid boils under reduced pressure in a sealed chamber; It absorbs heat from its surroundings. Steam generated from the boiling liquid is passed from the first chamber desiccant or sorbent that is continuously removed and absorbs vapor is discharged into a second chamber containing.

The use of two chambers to generate a cooling effect around one chamber is U.S. Patent No. 4250720 and 4736 by Siegel 599 and U.S. Patent No. 20 by Cleghorn et al. 95386. Siegel's patent uses water as the refrigerant liquid, while , the Frelaghorn et al. patent is not limited to water. Siegel's patent is a cold food The use of such a cooling device for food or beverages is envisaged. But which Their system also generates heat in an absorption chamber that is connected to a first chamber. Therefore, it is removed from the area to be cooled, so as not to reduce its cooling effect. must be done.

Furthermore, in both the Siegel and Frelaghorn et al. patents, the cooled The initial rapid cooling effect gradually slows down as the temperature of the object is lowered. . No prior art has effectively addressed the problem of thermoformation in sorbent chambers. , therefore, the previous adsorption cooling device can be used for miniaturized food, beverage and other refrigeration. None are completely suitable for use in a cooling system.

Therefore, one object of this invention is to treat the heat generated in the sorbent and evaporate it. Self-contained, with means for efficiently reducing the cooling effect in the chamber. It is to supply an adsorption cooling device.

Other objects will become apparent from the accompanying drawings and detailed description of the invention below. cormorant.

Summary of the invention The invention includes a first chamber containing a vaporizable liquid and a second chamber under vacuum. , a third chamber containing a sorbent for the liquid; a self-contained cooling device, the second chamber substantially surrounding the third chamber; , so that a vacuum surrounds the third chamber.

The second chamber conveys vaporized fluid between the first and third chambers. The valve is the fluid communication between the first and third chambers is obstructed. The actuator opens the valve and The first and third chambers are connected to allow the liquid to vaporize and the vapor to The sorbent can be entered through two chambers.

By opening the valve, the second and third chambers are evacuated so that the first A chamber pressure drop occurs. This pressure drop causes the liquid in the first chamber to This liquid-to-gas phase change is caused by the vaporization potential of the evaporated liquid. This can only occur if heat equal to the heat is removed from the first chamber, so the first The chamber is cooled. the steam flows through the second chamber to the third chamber; Absorbed and adsorbed by sorbents. Sorbents are absorbed or adsorbed. All the heat contained in the vapor is also gained, and if the absorption-adsorption process involves an exothermic chemical reaction, , the sorbent must also absorb the heat of reaction.

Heat contained in the sorbent is removed from the sorbent by a heat removal material. good Preferably, the heat removal material is a phase change material that is thermally coupled to the sorbent. that heat has a different thermal mass than the material containing the third chamber in contact with the sorbent; Moreover, it has a larger heat capacity than sorbent.

That heat is also transferred into the third chamber by the vacuum insulating it. included. In a preferred embodiment, the third chamber is substantially within the second chamber. mounted concentrically, and in one embodiment, the liquid vapor is substantially periphery of the third chamber. and flow into it.

In another preferred embodiment, the liquid is water. In yet another embodiment, a highly hydrophilic polymer A rimmer lines the interior surface of the first chamber from which boiling may occur. Maximize surface area. The liquid may be mixed with a nucleating agent that promotes boiling of the liquid. stomach.

This invention allows food, beverages or other material articles to be removed from ambient temperature on demand. Cooling in a timely manner, showing useful changes in temperature and preserving the heat generated during the cooling process. holding or impeding heat transfer from the sorbent back to the cooled material, causing an indefinite It can be stored without losing its cooling potential and is suitable for human use. Provides self-contained high-speed cooling equipment that meets government safety standards.

Drawing description FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a cooling device according to the invention, with second and third chambers is contained within the first chamber.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a cooling device according to the invention, with the second and third chambers is provided on the first outer side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown, the cooling device 10 has an inner surface of wick material containing a refrigerant liquid 18. First chamber 1 coated with (wicking material) Contains 2.

Cooling device 10 also includes a second chamber 20 surrounding a third chamber 21 .

The third chamber 21 is partially (and partially) filled with sorbent 24 . Contact with heat removal material 25 . As schematically shown in the figure, a second chamber 20 and third chamber 21 are in constant fluid communication. Initially, two chambers At least one of them is evacuated, thereby creating a vacuum in the other.

A valve 30 is located between the first chamber 12 and the second chamber 20 and Thus, fluid communication between chambers 12 and 20 is established only when valve 30 is opened. Permissible.

As shown in FIG. 2, the conduit 28 connects the first chamber 12 and the second chamber. 20 may be connected to a valve 30 interposed in conduit 28. However, as shown in Figure 1 In a more preferred embodiment, the second chamber 20 and therefore the third chamber 21 is completely contained within the first chamber 12 and is connected to the first chamber 12 and the second chamber 12 . No conduits connecting the chambers 20 are required.

Operation of cooling system 10 is suspended (i.e., the system is closed) until valve 30 is opened. (the system is static and no cooling occurs), then the conduit 28 is connected to the first, second and third providing fluid communication between the chambers 12, 20 and 21 of the.

By opening the valve 30 between the first and second chambers 12 and 20 , a pressure drop in chamber 12 occurs as second chamber 20 is evacuated.

The pressure drop in the first chamber 12 caused by the opening of the valve 30 causes the liquid to The body 18 boils at ambient temperature and becomes a liquid vaporized mixture 32. From this liquid to gas The phase change is such that the liquid 18 is equal to the latent heat of vaporization of the liquid evaporated from the first chamber 12. This can only occur by removing new heat. Due to this phase change, the first chamber 12 Cooling. The cooled first chamber 12 is , which in turn removes heat from its surrounding materials.

Once inside the third chamber 21, the vapor is absorbed by the sorbent 24 or It is adsorbed. This helps maintain a reduced vapor pressure within the first chamber 12. This increases the amount of liquid 18 that boils and becomes vapor, increasing the temperature of chamber 12. Further decline. With continued removal of steam, the pressure in the first chamber 12 is The vapor pressure of liquid 18 is maintained below, whereby liquid 18 until the liquid 18 has evaporated or until the liquid 18 is saturated. boils continuously and produces steam until the temperature of 18 drops below its boiling point do.

When the sorbent 24 absorbs or adsorbs vapor, heat of absorption or adsorption is generated. Ru. thermally coupled to the sorbent 24 (and preferably ), an optional heat removal material 25 removes heat from the sorbent 24 and may reduce the cooling effect generated by the first chamber 12. or prevent the temperature rise of both the sorbent 24 and the third chamber 21; or would delay.

The relationship between the three chambers reduces the cooling effect produced by the first chamber 12. perform another function that interferes with The second chamber 20 is evacuated substantially and the third chamber 20 is evacuated. forming an insulator to surround the third chamber 21, thereby forming a third chamber 21; The heat contained in 21 remains within the chamber.

Vacuum insulation on the third chamber 21 allows this chamber to be connected to the first cooling chamber. Room 12 does not warm up. Preferably, the third chamber 21 is inside the second chamber 2o. substantially concentrically attached to the In one embodiment, to the third chamber 21 The inlet of the liquid vapor enters the third chamber 21 and is sucked by the sorbent 24. so that it has to flow substantially around the third chamber 21 until placed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the configuration of the cooling device 10 is miniaturized by the above configuration. and can be made less bulky. This magnitude is the same as that of the second and third By placing chambers 20 and 21 within the first chamber 12, the It is possible to make it smaller. Nevertheless, the second and third chambers 20 and 21, the second chamber 20 is connected to the third chamber as shown in FIG. As long as the chamber 21 is insulated and heat does not reduce the cooling effect, It is understood that the two can be located side by side.

There is enough sorbent 24 in the third chamber 21 to absorb substantially all of the sorbent. Preferably, liquid 18 is absorbed or adsorbed by sorbent 24 . excessive saw By having a vent 24, the device allows a vacuum to enter the second chamber 20. After the adsorption process is finished, ensuring that the pores will remain in the critical time, the third The insulation for the chamber 21 is ensured. A complete vacuum is created within the second chamber 20. While this chamber may not be The third chamber 21 is under substantially low pressure and a substantial vacuum is provided to insulate the third chamber 21. It is also preferred that it be present.

Two important components of this invention are liquid evaporation and sorbent. liquid and the sorbent must be complementary (i.e. the sorbent must be complementary to the liquid) These components must be able to absorb or adsorb the vapors thus generated. Appropriate selection of It would be a combination that satisfies the standards and is compact.

The refrigerant liquid used in this invention preferably has a high vapor pressure at ambient temperature; Accordingly, the reduction in pressure will have a high steam generation rate. Liquid at 20℃ The vapor pressure of is preferably at least about 9 mmHg, more preferably less than at most about 15 or 20 mmHg. Additionally (like cooling of food products) If liquid is discharged into the environment, accidental or otherwise, Should meet possible government standards. Has characteristics suitable for various uses of this invention Liquids include various alcohols such as methyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol. water, ketones or aldehydes such as acetone and acetaldehyde, and water. and Freon C318, 114, 21, 11, 114B2.113 and 112 There is a freon like . The preferred liquid is water.

In addition, the refrigerant liquid has an effective amount of vapor pressure that is higher than the liquid and promotes evaporation. may be mixed with a miscible nucleating agent, thereby causing the liquid to more rapidly It evaporates and the liquid is never properly cooled. Suitable nucleating agents include ethyl alcohol. Coal, acetone, methyl alcohol, propyl alcohol and isobutyl alcohol alcohols, all of which are miscible with water. Nucleating agent and compatible liquid The combination may be, for example, 5% ethyl alcohol in water or 5% methyl alcohol in water. % acetone. The nucleating agent preferably has a low (both have a vapor pressure of about 25 mmHg, more preferably at least about 35 mmHH) do. Alternatively, solid Nucleating agents may also be used.

The sorbent material used in the third chamber 21 is preferably can absorb or adsorb all the vapors generated by the food, and preferably Meets government safety standards for use in environments where contact with Probably. Sorbents suitable for a variety of applications include barium oxide and magnesium perchlorate. calcium sulfate, calcium oxide, activated carbon, calcium chloride, glycerin , silica gel, alumina gel, calcium hydride, phosphoric anhydride, phosphoric acid, potassium hydroxide um, sulfuric acid, lithium chloride, ethylene glycol, and sodium sulfite. Ru.

The heat removal material may be one of three types: (1) Heat gives (2) A material that has a larger heat capacity than the sorbent ( 3) A material that causes an endothermic reaction when it comes into contact with a refrigerant liquid.

Phase change materials for specific applications include paraffin, naphthalene, sulfur, and hydrated carbon dioxide. Lucium, bromo-shono, cetyl alcohol, cyanamide, dirhodic Acid, lauric acid, hydrated sodium silicate, sodium thiosulfate pentahydrite , disodium phosphate, hydrated sodium carbonate, hydrated calcium nitrate, sulfate, potassium um, sodium, and magnesium acetate. phase change material removes some heat from the sorbent material simply through sensible heat storage. paraphrase If so, they will heat up as the sorbent heats up and draw heat from the sorbent. remove. However, the most effective function of phase change materials lies in the phase change itself. . Extremely large amounts of heat cause phase changes (i.e., from solid to liquid phase; is absorbed by an appropriate phase change associated with the change from liquid phase to vapor phase. be able to. necessary to affect change, absorbed during change, relative Despite the substantial amount of heat in the phase change material, the temperature of the phase change material typically remains Don't change. A phase that changes from solid to liquid and absorbs the latent heat of fusion from the sorbent. Variable materials are most practical in closed systems. However, the change from liquid to vapor Phase change materials are also viable. Therefore, the liquid is environmentally safe. body in contact with (and from) the sorbent material in another container (not shown). to absorb heat), the boiling phase change material is further removed from the sorbent material. can be vented to carry away heat completely outside the system.

Another requirement for phase changes is that the temperature of the material being cooled is higher than the expected ambient temperature, but In adsorbing a substantial part (i.e. 1/3 or 1/4) of the refrigerant liquid, the sorbent changing phase at temperatures lower than that achieved by the target material. It is. Thus, for example, food products or beverages according to this invention. In most devices intended for use in cooling materials, the phase change material is ℃ or higher, preferably about 35℃ or higher, but preferably about 70℃ or lower, and most preferably Preferably, the phase can be changed at a temperature of about 60° C. or less. Of course there is In some applications, substantially higher or lower phase change temperatures may be desirable. I don't know. Indeed, many with phase change temperatures of 90°C, 100°C or 110°C phase change materials may be suitable in some systems.

Materials with a greater heat capacity than the sorbent do not affect the total heat content of the system The third chamber 21 and the material to be cooled contact the sorbent and provide an amount of heat. This reduces the temperature difference between First, two adjacent materials As the temperature gradient between the two materials increases, the rate of heat exchange between the two materials increases and all other are equal. Therefore, such thermal mass material of the third chamber 21 is , retards heat transfer out of the third chamber 21. Second, many of the sorbent materials When the temperature of these materials exceeds a certain limit, they do not function well or Doesn't work at all. The heat absorbing material in the form of a thermal mass is The rate of temperature rise of the sorbent can be substantially reduced. This in turn , the sorbent is maintained at a low temperature and the vapor adsorption capacity of the sorbent is promoted.

A variety of materials with high specific heats include cyanamide, ethyl alcohol, and ethyl ether. alcohol, glycerol, isoamyl alcohol, isobutyl alcohol, hydrogenated tium, methyl alcohol, sodium acetate, water, ethylene glycol, and There is paraffin.

Select high specific heat materials (or high thermal mass materials) that do not interfere with the function of the sorbent Of course, care must be taken in ensuring that. If the heat absorbing material For example, if it is a liquid, you should package the liquid or otherwise use heat absorbing materials and soap It may be necessary to avoid physical contact with other people. Heat scattered throughout the sorbent The individual containers of absorbent material must be placed in such a way that the sorbent and heat absorbing material cannot come into contact with each other. May be used when appropriate. Alternatively, the heat absorbing material may be in contact with the sorbent. , may be located in one package with a relatively large surface area, the sorbent The material may facilitate heat transfer from the material to the heat absorbing material.

The third category of heat removal materials (materials that undergo an endothermic reaction) completely remove heat from the system. It has the advantage of removing and accumulating it in the form of chemical changes. The endothermic material advantageously It may be a material that undergoes an endothermic reaction when it comes into contact with a refrigerant liquid (or vapor).

In an embodiment of the invention, valve 30 of conduit 28 is opened and steam is directed through conduit 28 to the 3, the vapor becomes part of the endothermic material. In contact, an endothermic reaction occurs and heat is removed from the sorbent 24. Such an endotherm The material has heat removed from the sorbent more or less permanently, if any. However, it has the advantage that very little heat can be transferred back to the material being cooled.

(Due to design factors that slow heat transfer, such as Sorvent 24's low thermal conductivity) such heat exchange occurs during the cooling of the cooled material prior to use of that material. Although this endotherm generally does not occur fast enough to cause reheating, Phase change materials and sorbents that over time impart heat storage to surrounding materials. material with a higher heat capacity than the other material.

Heat absorbing materials that perform endothermic reactions include H2BO3, PbBr2, KBrO1KC10 3, K2Cr2O7, KCl04, K2S1Sn■2, NH4ClSKMnO4 , and compounds such as CsCIO4.

Additionally, the heat removal material may advantageously contact the sorbent. A variety of this description In embodiments, the sorbent and heat removal material can be mixed and the heat removal material The material may be discrete pieces mixed into the sorbent or not mixed into the sorbent. It may be a mass that is in contact with the other parts.

When selecting the wick material 16, the requirements of the system and the particular refrigerant liquid 18 used A wide variety of materials may be selected depending on the requirements. The wick material is Something as simple as a fabric or fabric with affinity and substantial wicking ability. That's fine. So, for example, if the refrigerant liquid is water, the wick material may be fabric, felt or cotton, filter material, natural cellulose, regenerated cellulose, cellulose May be a collection of lulor derivatives, blotting paper or other suitable materials . The most preferred wick material can coat the inner surface of the evaporation chamber. This may be a highly hydrophilic material such as a gel-forming polymer. Such materials are preferred Examples include vinyl acetate chloride, vinylidene chloride, tetrafluoroethylene, and methacrylate. Methyl lylate, adipic acid, dihydro-2,5-furandion (dihydr o-2゜5-furanodione), propio]/acid, 1,3-isoben Zofrandione (1,3-isobenzofurandione), lh- Pyrrole-2,5-dione, or hexahydro-2h-azepine-2-one Alkyl, aryl of (hexahydro-2h-azepin-2-one) and amino derivative polymers.

The wicking material is sprayed and the material is gathered together. or otherwise coated on the inner surface of the first chamber 12, or May be given. In a preferred embodiment, the wick material is electrostatically deposited on its surface. It is accumulated. In another embodiment, the wick material is a suitable sorbent, such as a non-aqueous sorbent. The melt is applied to the inner surface of the first chamber 12.

In another preferred embodiment, the wick material is used to control any vigorous evaporation in the evaporator. thus reducing any air-water co-occurrence in the vapor phase. this In such embodiments, the wick material has a porous, interstitial, or spongy structure. a polymer forming the first chamber 12 and filling all or part of the first chamber 12. Good too.

Valve 30 may be selected from among the various types shown in the prior art.

Valve 30 is connected to the first may be placed at any position between the first chamber 14 and the third chamber 21; However, if the cooling device 10 is entirely within the pressurized container 50, the pressure responsive valve It is used so that the cooling device can be activated when the pressure of the vessel is released.

The invention also includes a method of using the cooling device described herein. This method can be found here providing a cooling device of the type described in . That is, the first cha The valve between the chamber 12 and the second chamber 20 is opened, thereby causing the first chamber to open. The pressure in the chamber is reduced and the liquid is boiled, forming steam, which is then used as the sorbent material. and further add the same to the sorbent until equilibrium conditions are achieved. Vapors are removed from the second chamber by collecting and sorbent is substantially Substantially all of the liquid saturated with or originally in the first chamber is saturated with sorbet. At the same time, the heat removal material described above removes heat from the sorbent. removed. This process is preferably a one-shot process. therefore, Opening the valve 30 of the conduit 28 connecting the chamber 12 of plan 1 and the second chamber 20 is preferably irreversible. At the same time, the system is a closed system. Let me rephrase it For example, the refrigerant liquid does not leave the system and the refrigerant liquid or sorbent is in the first chamber. 12 or the second chamber 20.

Although this invention has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, the scope of this invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but instead includes the claims below. It is intended to be determined by the requirements.

A copy of the written amendment) submission (Patent Law Article 184-7, page 1, July 1991) 4th day town

Claims (32)

[Claims] 1. a first chamber containing a vaporizable liquid; a second chamber; a third evacuated chamber containing a sorbent for said liquid; said second chamber substantially surrounding said third chamber, thereby said When the second chamber is evacuated, a vacuum surrounds the third chamber and the second chamber is evacuated. a second chamber is adapted to convey vaporized fluid between the first and third chambers; , further comprising a valve that prevents fluid communication between the first and third chambers; The first and third chambers are opened to connect and the liquid is vaporized. and allowing the vapor to pass through the second chamber to the sorbent. a self-contained cooling system, including an actuator that allows 2. the third chamber is mounted substantially concentrically within the second chamber; 2. The apparatus of claim 1. 3. The third chamber is attached to the second chamber, thereby allowing liquid body vapor substantially around and into the third chamber. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device has to flow. 4. The first chamber has an inner surface provided with a wick material for the liquid. 2. The apparatus of claim 1. 5. The wick material for the liquid comprises a hydrophilic gel-forming polymer. The device according to item 4. 6. The wick material for the liquid is vinyl acetate chloride, vinylidene chloride, tet Lafluoroethylene, methyl methacrylate, adipic acid, dihydro-2,5-phthalate Landion, propionic acid, 1,3-isobenzofurandion, 1h-pyro alcohol-2,5-dione, and hexahydro-2h-azepine-2-one. alkyl, aryl, and amino derivative polymers selected from the group comprising 5. The apparatus of claim 4. 7. The wick material for the liquid is cotton, natural cellulose, regenerated cellulose, or a cellulose derivative. 8. The liquid has a vapor pressure of greater than about 9 mmHg at 20°C. The device according to item 1. 9. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the liquid is water. 10. a vapor pressure of greater than about 25 mmHg at 25°C in the first chamber; further comprising a nucleation material having a pressure in the first chamber that causes the valve to open. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the resulting drop facilitates boiling of the liquid. 11. The nucleation material includes ethyl alcohol, acetone, methyl alcohol, and polymer. The device according to claim 10, which is lopyl alcohol or isobutyl alcohol. . 12. 5. The second chamber is completely contained within the first chamber. 1. The device according to 1. 13. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second chamber is initially evacuated. 14. The third chamber drains substantially all of the liquid in the first chamber. 2. The device of claim 1, comprising sufficient sorbent to absorb or adsorb. 15. thermally coupled to the sorbent for removing heat from the sorbent; 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a method of: 16. (a) i) a first chamber containing a vaporizable liquid; and ii) a second chamber. Ba and iii) an absorbent for said liquid, said second chamber being said third chamber; substantially surrounding the second chamber, thereby evacuating the second chamber; A vacuum surrounds the third chamber, and the second chamber is connected to the first and second chambers. a third evacuated chamber adapted to convey vaporized liquid between the two chambers; and, iv) a valve preventing fluid communication between the first and third chambers; v) means for opening said valve and connecting said first and third chambers; providing a cooling device; (b) opening the valve to establish communication between the first chamber and the third chamber; allowing the pressure in the first chamber to be reduced, thereby causing the liquid to boils and forms steam, which vapor is applied to the sorbent material in the third chamber. (c) said sorbent until equilibrium conditions are reached; remove steam from the third chamber by collecting steam at The vent is substantially saturated or substantially saturated or originally within said first chamber. (d) all liquid is collected in said sorbent; and (d) said third channel. a vacuum in the second chamber substantially surrounding the third chamber; Therefore, a method for cooling the sorbent, including a step involving heat generated in the sorbent. Law. 17. The third chamber is mounted substantially concentrically within the second chamber. 17. The method of claim 16. 18. The third chamber is attached to the second chamber, and the liquid vapor is , should flow substantially around and into the third chamber. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein: 19. The first chamber has an inner surface provided with a wick material for the liquid. 17. The method of claim 16. 20. Claim: The wick material for the liquid is a hydrophilic gel-forming polymer. The method according to item 19. 21. The wick material for the liquid is vinyl acetate chloride, vinylidene chloride, Tetrafluoroethylene, methyl methacrylate, adipic acid, dihydro-2,5 -Flandion, propionic acid, 1,3-isobenzofurandion, 1h -pyrrole-2,5-dione, and hexahydro-2h-azepine-2- Alkyl, aryl, and amino derivative polymers selected from the group comprising one 20. The method according to claim 19, comprising: 22. The wick material for the liquid is cotton, natural cellulose, regenerated cellulose. , or a cellulose derivative. 23. 10. The liquid has a vapor pressure of about 9 mmHg at 20<0>C. 6. The method described in 6. 24. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the liquid is water. 25. Vapor in the first chamber is greater than about 25 mmHg at 25°C. further comprising a nucleation material having a pressure, the pressure in the first chamber causing the valve to open. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the drop as a result of the release facilitates boiling of the liquid. . 26. The nucleation material includes ethyl alcohol, acetone, methyl alcohol, and polymer. The method according to claim 25, wherein the alcohol is lopyl alcohol or isobutyl alcohol. . 27. 5. The second chamber is completely contained within the first chamber. 16. The method described in 16. 28. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the second chamber is first evacuated. 29. The third chamber drains substantially all of the liquid in the first chamber. 17. The method of claim 16, comprising sufficient sorbent to absorb or adsorb. 30. thermally coupled to the sorbent to remove heat from the sorbent. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising a substance comprising: 31. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the method includes a one-shot process. 32. 2. A valve according to claim 1, wherein a valve is located between the first and second chambers. Device.