Vaporization and pressurization of liquid in a porous material
US6585509B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 19, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jul 1, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 19, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF23D11/445
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vaporization module is provided that includes a capillary member to convert non-pressurized liquid to pressurized vapor. The pressure is sustained by capillary pressure of the liquid in the capillary member. The capillary member has low thermal conductivity and small-sized pores that permits liquid to travel by capillary action toward the vaporization zone. Often, the pores of the capillary member are substantially uniform in size. The capillary member may comprise ceramic material. The module also includes an orifice plate that has one or more orifices to permit release of pressurized vapor, e.g. as a pressurized vapor jet. The orifice plate is associated with a sealing member to form an at least partial enclosure of the module so that vapor may accumulate and pressure may be increased within the module. In addition, other aspects of the present invention relating to the vaporization and pressurization of liquid are described.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.