Apparatus for accelerating condensation with the aid of structured surfaces

Abstract

A condensation apparatus for condensing a gas on a surface, where the surface for condensing the gas has elevations of average height of from 50 nm to 1 mm, and with an average separation of from 50 nm to 1 mm, allows increased condensation efficiency. The apparatus is used for condensing organic or inorganic gases and may be incorporated into distillation systems.

1 . A condensation apparatus comprising, 
 a condensation surface, wherein said condensation surface comprises a plurality of elevations, said plurality of elevations having an average height of from 50 nm to 1 mm and an average separation of from 50 nm to 1 mm.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the condensation surface has an angle of inclination of at least 3°.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the condensation surface has a surface energy of from 5 to 20 mN/m when the plurality of elevations is not present.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the condensation surface is coated with polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, or polymers comprising perfluoroalkoxy compounds.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the condensation surface comprises at least one metal.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the condensation surface comprises a coating, said coating comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of fluoroalkanes, alkylfluorosilanes and fluorinated vinyls.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the condensation surface comprises polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene, fluoride, or polymers made from perfluoroalkoxy compounds.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of elevations is randomly distributed on the condensation surface.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of elevations are distributed in an ordered pattern on the condensation surface.  
     
     
         10 . A distillation system comprising the apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 .  
     
     
         11 . A method for condensing a gas comprising, 
 contacting a condensable gas with a condensation surface to form a condensate,    wherein said condensation surface comprises a plurality of elevations having an average height of from 50 nm to 1 mm and an average separation of from 50 nm to 1 mm.    
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the condensable gas is steam, alcohol vapor or fuel vapor.  
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the condensate is water, alcohol or fuel.  
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the condensation surface has an angle of inclination of at least 3°.  
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the condensation surface has a surface energy of from 5 to 20 mN/m when the plurality of elevations is not present.  
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the condensation surface is coated with polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, or polymers comprising perfluoroalkoxy compounds.  
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the condensation surface comprises at least one metal.  
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the condensation surface comprises a coating, said coating comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of fluoroalkanes, alkylfluorosilanes and fluorinated vinyls.  
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the condensation surface comprises polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene, fluoride, or polymers made from perfluoroalkoxy compounds.  
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of elevations is randomly distributed on the condensation surface.  
     
     
         21 . The method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of elevations are distributed in an ordered pattern on the condensation surface.