Advanced Capillary Force Vaporizers

Abstract

The present invention relates to the vaporization of liquids and the pressurization of vapors in capillary force vaporizers. More particularly, the invention provides new developments in the assembly and configuration of capillary force vaporizers, as well as systems and methods that incorporate these features, thus providing capillary force vaporizers that exhibit enhanced operability and reliability during operation.

1 . An apparatus for the generation of pressurized vapor from an unpressurized liquid, comprising:
 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.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer may be selected from among: tensioning devices, spring clips, clamps and clamping devices; friction fittings; snap closures; bayonet attachments; threaded screw closures; twist-lock closures; spring systems including conical washers, wavy washers, bent leaf springs and coil springs; welding; chemical, physical or mechanical bonding; sintering; chemical reaction; gravitational force of the earth; as well as combinations of any of the foregoing. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a housing wall present at a spacing of 3 mm, preferably 2 mm and most preferably 1 mm from the porous member, heater and retainer. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the insulator selected from among: ZAL-45AA, Mott Grade 5, AF6, AF15, AF30, AF50, MeAF3, Micromass, T-Cast, P-10-C, P-16-C, P-40-C and P-55-C; more preferably selected from among: ZAL-45AA, Mott Grade 5, AF15, AF30, AF50, MeAF3, Micromass, T-Cast, P-40-C and P-55-C; and most preferably selected from among: AF30 and MeAF3. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer is 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. 
   
   
       6 . An apparatus for the generation of pressurized vapor in an environment having pressure at a first pressure above atmospheric pressure, comprising:
 a) a porous member further comprising an insulator including a surface for receiving liquid and an optional vaporizer including a vaporization area for the collection and pressurization of vapor that is produced from the liquid, and at least one opening for release of the vapor at a velocity greater than zero; and   b) a heater component to convey heat to the porous member for the vaporization of the liquid;   
     wherein the liquid is present at a pressure of at least that of the first pressure. 
   
   
       7 . A technique for the generation of pressurized vapor in environments having pressure at a first pressure above atmospheric pressure, 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 at least one opening for release of the vapor at a velocity greater than zero; and 
 ii) a heater component to convey heat to the porous member for the vaporization of the liquid; 
   wherein the second pressure is at least equal to the first pressure.