Thin Film Capillary Vaporization: Device and Methods

A portable thin film vaporizer device for the generation of pressurized vapor from unpressurized liquid, comprising:

• a) a non-fibrous wick comprising a capillary network, a surface for receiving liquid and a vaporization area in which vapor produced from the liquid is collected and pressurized;
• b) a heat distributor;
• and
• c) a heater for conveying heat to the wick, the heater also including at least one orifice for the release of the pressurized vapor;
• wherein the heat distributor is situated in heat-exchanging contact with the heater and the wick.

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

• a) providing a liquid feed to a portable thin film vaporization device, the liquid characterized as having a first pressure;
• and
• b) vaporizing thin films of the liquid to produce a vapor, the vapor characterized as having a second pressure;
• wherein the second pressure is greater than the first pressure;
• and
• wherein the portable vaporization device comprises:
• 1) a non-fibrous wick comprising a capillary network, a surface for receiving liquid and a vaporization area in which vapor produced from the liquid is collected and pressurized;
• 2) an optional heat distributor;
• 3) a heater for conveying heat to the wick, the heater also including at least one orifice for the release of the pressurized vapor;
• and
• 4) a mechanical force generator for providing compression among the heater, optional heat distributor and wick.