US20170276385A1

US20170276385A1 - Liquid Heating Devices and Methods of Use

Info

Publication number: US20170276385A1
Application number: US15/469,337
Authority: US
Inventors: Neil S. Ide
Original assignee: Sunnyvale Fluid System Technologies Inc
Current assignee: Sunnyvale Fluid System Technologies Inc
Priority date: 2016-03-28
Filing date: 2017-03-24
Publication date: 2017-09-28

Abstract

Liquid heating devices and methods of use are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, devices include a heating element and a surface area interactive material contacting the heating element, the surface area interactive material having approximately zero surface tension interaction with a liquid which is passed through the surface area interactive material, the surface area interactive material conducting heat from the heating element into the liquid to raise a temperature of the liquid.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/314,247, filed on Mar. 28, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, including all references and appendices cited therein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology relates to liquid heating, and in particular to devices that incorporate heating elements and a surface area interactive material, such as fused quartz fiber that provide rapid heat transfer to heat a liquid that contacts the surface area interactive material.

SUMMARY

According to some embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to a device, comprising: (a) a heating element; (b) a wick contacting the heating element, the wick comprising a surface area interactive material; (c) means for introducing a liquid into contact with the wick, the liquid contacting the wick at a surface tension contact angle that is approximately less than five degrees; and (d) the heating element transferring heat into the wick to raise a temperature of the liquid.
According to some embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to a device, comprising: (a) a heating element; and (b) a surface area interactive material contacting the heating element, the surface area interactive material having approximately zero surface tension interaction with a liquid which is passed through the surface area interactive material, the surface area interactive material conducting heat from the heating element into the liquid to raise a temperature of the liquid.
According to some embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to a device, comprising: (a) a vessel having a hollow chamber, a water inlet, and a gas outlet; and (b) a hollow liquid permeable phaser disposed within the hollow chamber in fluid communication with the gas inlet and the gas outlet, arranged along a longitudinal direction of the vessel, the hollow liquid permeable phaser comprising: (1) a wick made from fused quartz; (2) at least one water heating element arranged in the longitudinal direction along an interior of the wick; and (3) a support mesh arranged in the longitudinal direction along the interior of the wick.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various exemplary embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail, wherein like reference numerals refer to identical or similar components or steps, with reference to the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary phase humidification process according to the present technology.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary phase change humidifier according to the present technology.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of a longitudinal section taken along line A-A of FIG. 2 indicating the overall composition of the phase change humidifier according to the present technology.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of the phase change humidifier along line B-B of FIG. 2 indicating the overall composition of the phase change humidifier according to the present technology.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of another exemplary liquid permeable phaser according to the present technology.

FIG. 6 is a side cross-section view of the liquid permeable phaser of FIG. 5 according to the present technology.

FIG. 7 is a cross-section view of an example device that comprises a tubular heating element having a core of surface area interactive material.

FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of an example fractionation device that comprises layers of heating elements and surface area interactive material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Generally, the present disclosure is directed to devices that are adapted to raise a temperature of a liquid from a first temperature to a higher temperature. In some embodiments, the device can be used to convert fluids from a liquid phase to a gaseous phase, and in some embodiments, a superheated gas. Example devices of the present disclosure incorporate heating elements in combination with a surface area interactive material. The heating element(s) are in physical contact with the surface area interactive material to transfer heat into the surface area interactive material.
The surface area interactive material can comprise any one or more of a variety of materials that cause a liquid to spread out into a thin layer on the surface area interactive material. In some embodiments, this surface area interactive material can comprise a fused quartz wool, silica wool, or other similar glass or silica material. To be sure, the material selected is hydrophilic in nature, which causes a liquid, such as a water, to spread out in a thin layer when the water contacts the material. Stated otherwise, the surface area interactive material has surface tension attributes that result in the water contacting the surface area interactive material having a surface tension contact angle of approximately zero degrees relative to a given surface of the surface area interactive material. This is in contrast to materials that provide a large surface tension contact angle such as 90 degrees or more, which would cause the water to bead when contacting the surface area interactive material rather than spreading out in a thin sheet. It will be understood that embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to incorporating materials that would result in a surface tension contact angle of approximately zero, as other surface tension contact angles are also contemplated. As the surface tension contact angle changes, the heat transfer rate of heat into the liquid may change correspondingly.
In some embodiments, the heating elements transfer heat into the surface area interactive material at a sufficient rate to allow liquid that is in direct contact with the surface area interactive material to change phase from liquid to gas. Embodiments of devices of the present disclosure allow for the phase change of the liquid to a gas without requiring a large volume of liquid in a high pressure vessel, such as common with boilers. Thus, in some embodiments, steam can be generated in a safe (e.g., low volume) device.
The process of gas humidification is utilized by various industries to enhance and enable chemical reactions, and to provide controlled and adjustable environments. Over time, a variety of techniques have been developed to produce humidified gas, including processes that involve the boiling or cavitation of liquid water to produce water vapor, which is then introduced into a gas stream, or bubbling gas through a heated liquid vessel. However, these techniques fail to provide a gas stream with a consistent humidity level required by individual and industry standards.
In general, FIGS. 1-6 illustrate various embodiments of processes and devices that convert a first liquid into a gas phase (e.g., a first gas) using heating elements in combination with a surface area interactive material. This resultant gas phase product can be combined with a dry gas, referred to as a second gas, through mixing, admixing, blending, percolating, or other similar methods that would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, the combination of the first and second gasses is accomplished using specific devices, which are described in greater detail below.
FIG. 1 represents a block diagram of a phase humidification process 10 according to the present disclosure. A dry gas stream 12 is passed through a gas inlet 14 into a liquid permeable phaser 16. Generally, the liquid permeable phaser 16 comprises at least a heating element 24 in combination with a surface area interactive material. In various embodiments, the surface area interactive material is integrated into a wick 22.
As mentioned above, surface area interactive material can comprise materials such as a glass or glass fiber. In some embodiments, the surface area interactive material can comprise a fused quartz or fused silica. These materials can be in various configurations such as fibers. In various embodiments, the surface area interactive material comprises fused quartz wool or silica wool. These materials provide a large surface area for liquid contact. Additionally, these materials are hydrophilic, which causes the liquid to spread out in a thin layer on an outer surface of the material. When the liquid is water and the surface area interactive material is fused quartz wool, this effect is due to the affinity between Si-OH (Silanol) molecules on surfaces of the fused quartz wool and the water. Thus, the surface area interactive material selected for use may depend upon the liquid that is processed by the device. Indeed, the surface area interactive material is selected such that the surface tension contact angle between the liquid and the surface of the surface area interactive material is reduced. In some embodiments, this attribute is referred to as the liquid and surface area interactive material having approximately zero surface tension interaction.
Also, it will be understood that the present disclosure can be adapted for use in processing liquids other than water.
In one embodiment, liquid water 18 is passed through a water inlet 20 and over a wick 22 made from fused quartz wool, located in the liquid permeable phaser 16. The wick 22 is heated by a heating element 24 resulting in the change of liquid water 18 into a water vapor (not shown) without a need for boiling or cavitation. The dry gas stream 12 is introduced and blended with the water vapor inside the liquid permeable phaser 16 to produce humidified gas 26, which is released from a humidified gas outlet 28.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary phase change humidifier 30 according to the present technology. The phase change humidifier 30 comprises a vessel 31 having a cylindrical first portion 32 and a square second portion 34, the cylindrical first portion 32 extending from the square second portion 34. The liquid water inlet 20 is coupled with a base 36 of the first portion 32 to allow liquid water 18 into the liquid permeable phaser 16. The square second portion 34 having the gas inlet 14 on a first side 38 and the gas outlet 28 on a second side (not shown). The phase change humidifier 30 provides energy to the heating element 24 though a power supply 40 connected to a top portion 42 of the second portion 34. It is to be understood that the phase change humidifier 30 may be formed to have a variety of external housing shapes, configurations, geometries, sizes, and arrangements other than for that shown in the provided figures.
FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of a longitudinal section taken along line A-A of FIG. 2 indicating the overall composition of the phase change humidifier 30 according to the present disclosure. Liquid water 18 is passed through the water inlet 20 and introduced to the wick 22 made of fused quartz wool. Due to the liquid water 18 having a nearly zero surface tension contact angle with the fused quartz, the wick 22 allows the liquid water 18 to spread out over a large surface area (e.g., surfaces of the fiber of the fused quartz wool). The wick 22 is then heated by heating elements 52, powered by the power supply 40 and arranged in a longitudinal direction along the interior of the wick 22. The introduction of heat results in the liquid water 18 undergoing a phase change to water vapor. The water vapor passes through a liquid permeable phaser 54 arranged in a longitudinal direction of the phase change humidifier 30. The liquid permeable phaser 54 being supported by a support mesh 56 is arranged in a longitudinal direction along the interior of the wick 22.
The support mesh 56 comprises, for example, a tubular member that is provided with perforations or openings that allow the dry gas mixed with water vapor to enter the support mesh 56 and exit the gas outlet 28. That is, the support mesh 56 is in fluid communication with the gas outlet 28.
In combination with the phase change of the liquid water 18 to vapor, the dry gas stream 12 is passed through the gas inlet 14 and introduced into the liquid permeable phaser 54 resulting in the humidified gas 26, which is released outwardly from the humidified gas outlet 28. In some embodiments, the liquid permeable phaser 54 is located centrally within the vessel 31, creating an annular spacing 55 relative to an inner surface 58 of a sidewall of the vessel 31.
In more detail, liquid water 18 is drawn into the wick 22. The heating element 52 (or a plurality of heating elements) heats the wick 22 causing the liquid water 18 to convert into a gas phase (e.g., steam). As the dry gas enters the vessel 31, the dry gas permeates through the wick 22 and mixes with the steam to humidify the dry gas. In some embodiments, this process can include pulling a vacuum on the gas outlet 28 to draw the dry gas into the vessel 31 and through the wick 22. In other embodiments, the process can include introducing the dry gas into the vessel 31 under pressure which pushes the dry gas through the wick 22, facilitating mixing of the dry gas with the steam. Thus, the use of a pump to push or pull fluids into or through the phase change humidifier 30 is advantageous in some embodiments. For example, the pump can be used to inject dry gas into the gas inlet 14 of the vessel 31 or a pump can be used to draw humidified fluid from the humidified gas outlet 28 of the vessel 31.
In some embodiments, an advantage of the phase change humidifier 30 is that gas humidification can be achieved over an extremely broad range of gas and liquid flow without requiring boiling or cavitating the liquid water 18 resulting in a very smooth injection of water vapor into the dry gas stream 12. This smooth injection of water vapor is critical for the overall gas humidification process 10 as it requires a very steady stoichiometry of gas and water.
In various embodiments, the phase change humidifier 30 does not comprise any nozzles or atomizers in the device allowing for a water flow rate that can vary dramatically without tremendous changes in water inlet pressure, resulting in a phase change humidifier 30 that is both versatile and affordable.
FIG. 4 represents a cross-section view of the phase change humidifier along line B-B of FIG. 2 indicating the overall composition of the phase change humidifier according to the present disclosure. FIG. 4 also represents an enlarged cross-sectional view of the elements of the phase change humidifier 30 that was described in FIG. 3. In more detail, the support mesh 56 (e.g., perforated support) is located centrally. A plurality of heating elements 52 are placed in contact with support mesh 56. The number of heating elements and/or use thereof is selectable and based on design considerations such as fluid flow rates and desired humidity saturation.
FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of another exemplary liquid permeable phaser 60 according to the present disclosure. In this embodiment, heating elements 62 are arranged in a longitudinal direction along the exterior of the liquid permeable phaser 60. In some embodiments, a single, continuous heating element 62 in a tubular configuration can be utilized. The heating element 62 wraps around a fused quartz fiber liner 72 that is supported by a support mesh 66 which defines a central aperture 76 (referred to also as a hollow length) that extends along a length of the phaser 60.
In some embodiments, the wick 64 that is made from fused quartz and the support mesh 66 are assembled in a cylindrical fashion and arranged longitudinally in a phase change humidifier (not shown). The support mesh 66 can include a perforated tubular member that has openings or ports as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.
FIG. 6 is a side cross-section view of the liquid permeable phaser 60 of FIG. 5 according to the present technology. In this embodiment, liquid water 18 is injected into the liquid permeable phaser 60 through a water inlet 68 (multiple water inlets may be utilized in some embodiments), located on a first end 70 of the liquid permeable phaser 60. The liquid water 18 is introduced to a fused quartz fiber liner 72 arranged longitudinally along the inside of the heating elements 62. The liquid water 18 is heated by the heating elements 62, resulting in water vapor. During operation, a dry gas stream 12 is injected into the liquid permeable phaser 60 through a gas inlet 74, located on the first end 70 of the liquid permeable phaser 60. The dry gas stream 12 is introduced to the water vapor along a hollow length 76 of the liquid permeable phaser 60, resulting in the humidified gas 26. The humidified gas 26 is released from a humidified gas outlet 78 located on a second end 80 of the liquid permeable phase changer 60. It is to be understood that the liquid permeable phaser 60 may be formed to have a variety of shapes, configurations, geometries, sizes, and arrangements other than for that shown in the provided figures.
While the embodiments described above have been described for use in humidifying a first gas with a second gas created from a liquid that is phase changed using a heated surface area interactive material such as fused quartz wool, the present disclosure can be utilized to phase change a single liquid or to heat a liquid to a temperature that is less than a temperature at which the liquid will phase change to a gas. Again, these embodiments phase change the liquid to a gas without requiring the boiling of a large volume of water at high pressure. The devices disclosed herein utilize nucleated boiling through dispersing liquid onto a high surface area interactive material such as fused quartz wool. While a suitable volume of liquid is boiled through nucleated boiling, it is done so by distribution of the liquid on the surface of the as fused quartz wool rather than heating a column of water as is common in the use of a boiler.
FIG. 7 is an example embodiment of a device 100 of the present disclosure that comprises a perforated core support 102, a heating element 104, a surface area interactive material 106, and a packed superheating bed 108.
The perforated core support 102, in some embodiments, can be comprised of a structurally rigid and high-temperature operational material such as a metal or alloy, a ceramic, or other similar material. In some embodiments, the core support 102 is tubular to provide a pathway for liquid to enter the device 100. The core support 102 is perforated or otherwise comprises apertures that allow the liquid to exit the core support 102 and contact the surface area interactive material 106. The surface area interactive material 106 is packed around the core support 102 within an annular spacing formed between the core support 102 and the heating element 104.
In some embodiments, this heating element 104 can be comprised of any one or more of a number of materials such as a metal like copper or stainless steel. The exact composition of the heating element 104 is a matter of design choice. In some embodiments, the heating element 104 is perforated (porous or otherwise having apertures or ports), providing a path for fluid communication from an inner sidewall 110 of the heating element 104 into the packed superheating bed 108. The surface area interactive material 106, such as fused quartz wool, is disposed within the annular space in such a way that the surface area interactive material 108 contacts the inner sidewall 110 of the heating element 104.
As the heating element 104 transfers heat into the surface area interactive material 106, the liquid introduced into the surface area interactive material 106 will boil in a nucleated manner. Again, the liquid will disperse onto the surface area interactive material 108 due to the material selected for the surface area interactive material 106, causing the liquid to have a surface tension contact angle that is approximately zero.
In some embodiments, the liquid exits the heating element 104 into the packed superheating bed 108. Non-limiting examples of packed superheating bed material can comprise a metallic wool, metallic beads, or other similar media that is non-reactive with a superheated/vapor phase of the liquid being processed. The selected media for the packed superheating bed 108 is also selectable based on the operating temperatures of the device 100.
A superheated gas exist one or more outlets, such as outlet 112 in a vessel 114 that surrounds the perforated core support 102, heating element 104, surface area interactive material 106, and packed superheating bed 108. In some embodiments, the packed superheating bed 108 covers a terminal end of the perforated core support 102, heating element 104, surface area interactive material 106.
Aspects of the present technology can also be used for other purposes such as fractionation of fluid materials. FIG. 8 illustrates a device 200, such as a fractionation column, that can be used to fractionate a mixed distillation material. The device 200 is configured to process a liquid feedstock 202.
In general, the device 200 comprises various layers such as layers 204A-D. Each of the layers, such as layer 204A, comprises an alternating pattern of both heating element sections and surface area interactive material sections. For example, a layer 204A comprises a plurality of heating element sections such as heating element section 206. The plurality of heating element sections are spaced apart from one another to create spaces. Surface area interactive material sections, such as surface area interactive material section 208, are placed inside these spaces. Baffles, such as baffle 210 direct liquid feedstock into a respective surface area interactive material section 208, which is heated by the heating element section 206.
It is noteworthy to mention that layers disposed above layer 204A will receive saturated vapor phases of the liquid feedstock. Heavier fractions of the liquid feedstock are removed in lower layers while lighter fractions will continue upwardly through the device 200 for capture at higher layers.
In various embodiments, the baffle 210 comprises an opening 212 where liquid feedstock is received. A sidewall 214 of the baffle 210 routes the liquid feedstock towards the surface area interactive material section 208. The heating element section 206 heats the surface area interactive material section 208, which in turn causes nucleated boiling of the liquid feedstock and conversion of the liquid feedstock into a saturated vapor phase. This saturated vapor phase enters an interstitial space 216 between layer 204A and 204B. In some embodiments, the saturated vapor phase comprising a fraction of the liquid feedstock exits the layer 204A at outlet 222.
In some embodiments, the heating element section 206 can be perforated allowing liquid feedstock that has condensed from the saturated vapor phase to flow back down through layers. These perforations also allow for saturated vapor to percolate upwardly into the surface area interactive material section 208.
In some embodiments, the heating element section 206 extends along a bottom surface of the surface area interactive material section 208 and along a sidewall 218 of an adjacent baffle 220.
Prior to entering the layer 204A, the liquid feedstock is heated by a heating device 230 to cause the liquid feedstock to phase change to gas/vapor in below the layer 204A. This allows the vapor to enter the baffles for direction into the plurality of surface area interactive material section in layer 204A. In some embodiments, this can include any known heating element capable of effecting a phase change in the liquid feedstock, but may also include the liquid heating device 100 of FIG. 7.
In operation, each successive upward layer will remove a different fraction from what fractionable product remains of the liquid feedstock as it travels upwardly through the device 200
While this technology is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and has been described in detail several specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the technology and is not intended to limit the technology to the embodiments illustrated.
Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not necessarily be limited by such terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be necessarily limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “includes” and/or “comprising,” “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Example embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the present disclosure. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, the example embodiments of the present disclosure should not be construed as necessarily limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein, but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.
Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be formed from a same, structurally continuous piece, such as being unitary, and/or be separately manufactured and/or connected, such as being an assembly and/or modules. Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be manufactured via any manufacturing processes, whether additive manufacturing, subtractive manufacturing and/or other any other types of manufacturing. For example, some manufacturing processes include three dimensional (3D) printing, laser cutting, computer numerical control (CNC) routing, milling, pressing, stamping, vacuum forming, hydroforming, injection molding, lithography and/or others.
Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can include, whether partially and/or fully, a solid, including a metal, a mineral, a ceramic, an amorphous solid, such as glass, a glass ceramic, an organic solid, such as wood and/or a polymer, such as rubber, a composite material, a semiconductor, a nano-material, a biomaterial and/or any combinations thereof. Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can include, whether partially and/or fully, a coating, including an informational coating, such as ink, an adhesive coating, a melt-adhesive coating, such as vacuum seal and/or heat seal, a release coating, such as tape liner, a low surface energy coating, an optical coating, such as for tint, color, hue, saturation, tone, shade, transparency, translucency, non-transparency, luminescence, anti-reflection and/or holographic, a photo-sensitive coating, an electronic and/or thermal property coating, such as for passivity, insulation, resistance or conduction, a magnetic coating, a water-resistant and/or waterproof coating, a scent coating and/or any combinations thereof.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized and/or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
Furthermore, relative terms such as “below,” “lower,” “above,” and “upper” may be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Such relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of illustrated technologies in addition to the orientation depicted in the accompanying drawings. For example, if a device in the accompanying drawings is turned over, then the elements described as being on the “lower” side of other elements would then be oriented on “upper” sides of the other elements. Similarly, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements would then be oriented “above” the other elements. Therefore, the example terms “below” and “lower” can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of above and below.
The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the present disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the present disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. The descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the technology to the particular forms set forth herein. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the above description is illustrative and not restrictive. To the contrary, the present descriptions are intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the technology as defined by the appended claims and otherwise appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. The scope of the technology should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A device, comprising:

a heating element;

a wick contacting the heating element, the wick comprising a surface area interactive material;

means for introducing a liquid into contact with the wick, the liquid contacting the wick at a surface tension contact angle that is approximately less than five degrees; and

the heating element transferring heat into the wick to raise a temperature of the liquid.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the surface area interactive material comprises a glass fiber.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the surface area interactive material is selected from any of fused quartz wool, fused silica wool, or combinations thereof.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the heating element and the wick are disposed around a tubular mesh support, the heating element forming a concentric ring around the tubular mesh support so as to create an annular space there between, the wick being disposed within the annular space.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the means for introducing the liquid comprises a pump that delivers the liquid into the wick.

6. The device according to claim 4, wherein the means for introducing the liquid comprises perforations in the heating element.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the liquid is raised to as to convert the liquid to a gas phase.

8. The device according to claim 7, further comprising a vessel that receives the heating element and the wick, the vessel having an inlet and an outlet.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein when a dry gas is received in the inlet and liquid is received through a second inlet, the liquid is converted into the gas phase, the dry gas mixing with the gas phase of the liquid and exiting the outlet of the vessel.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the vessel further comprises a tubular mesh support, the heating element and the wick being disposed around an outer surface of the tubular mesh support, further wherein the dry gas filters through the heating element and the wick, passing through pores in the tubular mesh support and mixing with the gas phase of the liquid, wherein the outlet is in fluid communication with the tubular mesh support.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the heating element and the wick are disposed within a tubular mesh support, the wick forming a concentric ring around the tubular mesh support and the heating element forming a second concentric ring around the wick.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the heating element is perforated to allow liquid to enter the device in an evenly distributed manner.

13. A device, comprising:

a heating element; and

a surface area interactive material contacting the heating element, the surface area interactive material having approximately zero surface tension interaction with a liquid which is passed through the surface area interactive material, the surface area interactive material conducting heat from the heating element into the liquid to raise a temperature of the liquid.

14. The device according to claim 13, further wherein the surface area interactive material comprises fused quartz wool.

15. The device according to claim 13, wherein the device comprises alternating sections of the heating element and the surface area interactive material arranged into a substrate.

16. The device according to claim 13, further comprising a porous support tube, the surface area interactive material wrapped around the porous support tube, and the heating element surrounding the surface area interactive material.

17. A device, comprising:

a vessel having a hollow chamber, a water inlet, and a gas outlet; and

a hollow liquid permeable phaser disposed within the hollow chamber in fluid communication with the gas inlet and the gas outlet, arranged along a longitudinal direction of the vessel, the hollow liquid permeable phaser comprising:

a wick made from fused quartz;

at least one water heating element arranged in the longitudinal direction along an interior of the wick; and

a support mesh arranged in the longitudinal direction along the interior of the wick.

18. The device according to claim 17, further comprising a gas inlet.

19. The device according to claim 18, wherein when dry gas is pumped into the gas inlet and water is pumped into the water inlet, the hollow liquid permeable phaser converts the water to steam, and the dry gas permeates through the hollow liquid permeable phaser to mix with the steam to humidify the dry gas.

20. The device according to claim 19, wherein the hollow liquid permeable phaser is disposed within the vessel so as to create an annular space for receiving the dry gas and the water.