Device for converting a liquid to a vapour

A device for converting a liquid into vapor, said device comprising:

• an enclosure into which heat is introduced by a heat transfer fluid;
• a heating surface formed as an open channel having a U-shaped cross-section and forming a helix extending downward from an upper portion of the heating surface at a top of the enclosure;
• a heat transfer pipe configured to provide heat to the heating surface via the heat transfer fluid flowing therein, the heat transfer pipe disposed within the channel of the heating surface, having a cross-section complementary to the U-shaped cross-section of the heating surface, and further having a helical shape corresponding to that of the heating surface such that the heating surface and the heat transfer pipe are in contact over at least the upper portion of the heating surface;
• a liquid inlet port connected to the upper portion of the heating surface such that a liquid introduced through said liquid inlet port flows, by gravity, within the channel formed by the heating surface and around the heat transfer pipe from the upper portion to a lower portion of the heating surface;
• and
• a vapor outlet port formed through a wall of the enclosure.