Method and apparatus for flash evaporation of liquids

Patent · Tue Oct 02 00:00:00 EDT 1984

OSTI ID:5908533

Bharathan, D

A vertical tube flash evaporator for introducing a superheated liquid into a flash evaporation chamber includes a vertical inlet tube with a flared diffuser portion at its upper outlet end. A plurality of annular screens are positioned in axially spaced-apart relation to each other around the periphery of the vertical tube and below the diffuser portion thereof. The screens are preferably curved upward in a cup-shaped configuration. These flash evaporators are shown in an ocean thermal energy conversion unit designed for generating electric power from differential temperature gradients in ocean water. The method of use of the flash evaporators of this invention includes flowing liquid upwardly through the vertical tube into the diffuser where initial expansion and boiling occurs quite violently and explosively. Unvaporized liquid sheets and drops collide with each other to enhance surface renewal and evaporation properties, and liquid flowing over the outlet end of the diffuser falls onto the curved screens for further surface renewal and evaporation.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Patent Number(s): US 4474142
• OSTI ID: 5908533
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 2 Mar 1983; Other Information: PAT-APPL-471392
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
EVAPORATORS
DESIGN
FLASHING
OCEAN THERMAL POWER PLANTS
BOILING
DIFFUSERS
LIQUID FLOW
SCREENS
SUPERHEATING
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
THERMAL EXPANSION
TUBES
EVAPORATION
EXPANSION
FLUID FLOW
HEATING
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
POWER PLANTS
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
140800* - Solar Energy- Ocean Energy Systems