Thin Film Capillary Vaporization: Device and Methods

A thin film vaporizer for generating pressurized vapor from unpressurized liquid, comprising:

• a) a porous member comprising an insulator and an optional vaporizer, the porous member also 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 including a vapor containment region for the collection of vapor and at least one orifice for release of the vapor at a velocity greater than zero;
• c) a platform including a recess for engaging the porous member;
• and
• d) a mechanical force generator for providing compressive force among the porous member and the heater;
• wherein the porous member and heater together occupy a volume of less than 20 cm3, preferably less than 15 cm3, and more preferably less than 10 cm3.

A method for vaporizing water to a pressure greater than that of a liquid water feed, comprising:

• a. providing a liquid water feed to a portable vaporization device, the liquid water characterized as having a first pressure;
• and
• b. vaporizing thin films of the liquid water to produce a vapor, the vapor characterized as having a second pressure;
• wherein the second pressure is greater than the first pressure;
• wherein the portable vaporization device comprises a porous member, a heater and a mechanical force generator for providing compressive force among the porous member and the heater;
• wherein the portable device contains less than about 20 kJ reserved water energy, preferably less than 10 kJ reserved water energy, more preferably less than 5 kJ reserved water energy and most preferably less than 1 kJ reserved water energy;
• and
• wherein as compared to the liquid water feed, the vapor produced by the device exhibits a reduction of at least 99.99%, preferably a reduction of at least 99.999% and most preferably a reduction of at least 99.9999% in a number of colony forming units as compared the number of colony forming units initially present in the liquid water feed.

A method for vaporizing water to a pressure greater than that of a liquid water feed, comprising:

• a. providing a liquid water feed to a portable vaporizer device, the liquid water characterized as having a first pressure;
• and
• b. vaporizing the liquid water to produce a vapor, the vapor characterized as having a second pressure;
• wherein the second pressure is greater than the first pressure;
• wherein the portable vaporizer device comprises a porous member, a heater, and a mechanical force generator for providing compressive force among the porous member and the hearer;
• and
• wherein as compared to the liquid water feed, the vapor produced by the portable vaporizer device exhibits a reduction of at least 99.99%, preferably a reduction of at least 99.999% and most preferably a reduction of at least 99.9999% in the number of colony forming units as compared the number of colony forming units initially present in the liquid water feed.