METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VAPORIZING A LIQUID STREAM

摘要

The present invention relates to a method for vaporizing a liquid stream, the method at least comprising the steps of: a) feeding a heat transfer fluid to a first heat transfer zone (2), the heat transfer fluid being cycled in a closed circuit (4); b) feeding a liquid stream (20) to be vaporized to the first heat transfer zone (2); c) providing heat from the heat transfer fluid to the liquid stream across a heat transfer surface in the first heat transfer zone (2) thereby vaporizing the liquid stream and at least partially condensing the heat transfer fluid; d) removing the vaporized liquid stream (30); e) removing the at least partially condensed heat transfer fluid and passing it to a second heat transfer zone (3); f) providing heat from ambient air to the at least partially condensed heat transfer fluid across a heat transfer surface in the second heat transfer zone (3) thereby vaporizing the heat transfer fluid; g) recycling the vaporized heat transfer fluid to the first heat transfer zone (2); wherein the heat transfer fluid is recycled in step g) using gravitational force exerted on the heat transfer fluid being cycled in the closed circuit (4).