Method and apparatus for flash evaporation of liquids
Abstract
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.
- Inventors:
-
- Lakewood, CO
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 865173
- Patent Number(s):
- 4474142
- Assignee:
- United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F03 - MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS F03G - SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS
F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F22 - STEAM GENERATION F22B - METHODS OF STEAM GENERATION
- DOE Contract Number:
- EG-77-C-01-4042
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- method; apparatus; flash; evaporation; liquids; vertical; tube; evaporator; introducing; superheated; liquid; chamber; inlet; flared; diffuser; portion; upper; outlet; plurality; annular; screens; positioned; axially; spaced-apart; relation; periphery; below; preferably; curved; upward; cup-shaped; configuration; evaporators; shown; ocean; thermal; energy; conversion; unit; designed; generating; electric; power; differential; temperature; gradients; water; flowing; upwardly; initial; expansion; boiling; occurs; violently; explosively; unvaporized; sheets; drops; collide; enhance; surface; renewal; properties; falls; vertical tube; ocean thermal; generating electric; ocean water; liquid flow; electric power; temperature gradient; thermal energy; energy conversion; liquid flowing; axially spaced; temperature gradients; flowing liquid; flash evaporation; apart relation; spaced-apart relation; flash evaporator; upper outlet; inlet tube; vaporized liquid; differential temperature; /122/60/
Citation Formats
Bharathan, Desikan. Method and apparatus for flash evaporation of liquids. United States: N. p., 1984.
Web.
Bharathan, Desikan. Method and apparatus for flash evaporation of liquids. United States.
Bharathan, Desikan. Sun .
"Method and apparatus for flash evaporation of liquids". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/865173.
@article{osti_865173,
title = {Method and apparatus for flash evaporation of liquids},
author = {Bharathan, Desikan},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1984},
month = {Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1984}
}