METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THERMOCAPILLARY EVAPORATION
First Claim
1. An evaporation apparatus comprising:
- (a) a storage means for storing a liquid to be evaporated, the storage means including means for replenishing the liquid, wherein the liquid defines in the storage means a surface area, the surface area defining a liquid-gas interface;
(b) an evaporator means associated with the storage means; and
(c) a displacement means associated with the evaporator means;
characterised in that the evaporator means includes at least one heating element disposed to contact the liquid-gas interface and evaporate the liquid by thermocapillary convection, wherein the storage means is operable to maintain the liquid in contact with the liquid-gas interface, and wherein the displacement means is operable to displace vapour created by operation of the evaporator means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vaporization apparatus and related vaporization method is provided that relies on thermocapillary convection. The apparatus consists of a thermocapillary evaporator that has three sections: an evaporation section, a displacement section, and a storage system for storing the liquid to be evaporated. The evaporation section is operable to distribute thermal energy substantially along the entire liquid-gas interface. The method of the present invention consists of providing a thermocapillary evaporator that includes a storage system for the liquid to be evaporated. Advantageously, the present invention provides substantial evaporation from relatively low temperature heat sources, compared to conventional evaporators.
6 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An evaporation apparatus comprising:
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(a) a storage means for storing a liquid to be evaporated, the storage means including means for replenishing the liquid, wherein the liquid defines in the storage means a surface area, the surface area defining a liquid-gas interface; (b) an evaporator means associated with the storage means; and (c) a displacement means associated with the evaporator means; characterised in that the evaporator means includes at least one heating element disposed to contact the liquid-gas interface and evaporate the liquid by thermocapillary convection, wherein the storage means is operable to maintain the liquid in contact with the liquid-gas interface, and wherein the displacement means is operable to displace vapour created by operation of the evaporator means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An evaporation method comprising:
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(a) providing an evaporation apparatus that includes; (i) a storage means for storing a liquid to be evaporated, the storage means including means for replenishing the liquid, wherein the liquid defines in the storage means a surface area, the surface area defining a liquid-gas interface; (ii) an evaporator means associated with the storage means; and (iii) a displacement means associated with the evaporator means that is operable to displace vapour created by operation of the evaporator means; and (b) evaporating the liquid by operation of the evaporation apparatus; characterised in that the evaporator means includes at least one heating element disposed to contact the liquid-gas interface and evaporate the liquid by thermocapillary convection, and wherein the storage means is operable to maintain the liquid in contact with the liquid-gas interface. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification