The present invention relates to a method for preparing an apparatus (or a plant comprising a plurality of apparatuses), for example a heat exchanger, a vaporizer or a distillation column, for use in a process (in particular a continuously operated process) for concentrating a mineral acid by evaporation of water, wherein the apparatus or the plant comprises (at least) a device which is resistant to the mineral acid and the device is flushed with an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution having a concentration by mass of alkali metal hydroxide in the range from 1% to 30% at a temperature in the range from 40° C. to 90° C. for a time of from 2 hours to 7 days.

A vaporizer includes an outer tube configured to receive a flow of heated gas and an inner tube disposed at least partially within the outer tube. The inner tube is spaced apart from the outer tube such that the flow of heated gas is channeled through an annular space therebetween. The vaporizer also includes a crucible disposed at least partially within the inner tube. The crucible is extendable and retractable relative to the inner tube and within the outer tube. The crucible is configured to hold a molten metal such that a surface area of the molten metal exposed to the flow of heated gas is adjustable based on the position of the crucible relative to the inner tube. A heater is configured to vaporize the molten material and the vapor mixes with the flow of heated gas.

A device for evaporating a fluid medium in a filling product filling plant includes an inclined evaporator surface, a medium supply line for applying the fluid medium that is to be evaporated to the evaporator surface, and grooves in the evaporator surface for conducting the fluid medium. The grooves along the evaporator surface have a non-linear design.

A device for evaporating a fluid medium in a filling product filling plant includes an inclined evaporator surface, a medium supply line for applying the fluid medium that is to be evaporated to the evaporator surface, and grooves in the evaporator surface for conducting the fluid medium. The grooves along the evaporator surface have a non-linear design.

Devices and methods for cleaning an array of solar panels in side-by-side relation employ one or more elongated flexible elements, preferably implemented as translucent strips (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d), anchored at their ends relative to the array of solar panels (12). Each strip spans two or more solar panels, and is wind-displaceable so as to contribute to cleaning of at least two of the solar panels (12).

An ultra-fine bubble generating unit and an ultra-fine bubble-containing liquid manufacturing apparatus. Provided is an ultra-fine bubble generating unit and an ultra-fine bubble-containing liquid manufacturing apparatus capable of maintaining stable UFB generation efficiency and generating a high-quality UFB-containing liquid with less variation. To this end, the number of heating elements arrayed along a direction of a liquid flowing over the heating elements (arrow F1 direction) is n1, and the number of the heating elements arrayed to cross the arrow F1 direction is n2. In this case, a heating element substrate of a UFB generating unit in the present embodiment has a configuration in which a relationship of n1<n2 is satisfied.

An ultra-fine bubble generating unit and an ultra-fine bubble-containing liquid manufacturing apparatus. Provided is an ultra-fine bubble generating unit and an ultra-fine bubble-containing liquid manufacturing apparatus capable of maintaining stable UFB generation efficiency and generating a high-quality UFB-containing liquid with less variation. To this end, the number of heating elements arrayed along a direction of a liquid flowing over the heating elements (arrow F1 direction) is n1, and the number of the heating elements arrayed to cross the arrow F1 direction is n2. In this case, a heating element substrate of a UFB generating unit in the present embodiment has a configuration in which a relationship of n1<n2 is satisfied.

Devices and methods for cleaning an array of solar panels in side-by-side relation employ one or more elongated flexible elements, preferably implemented as translucent strips (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d), anchored at their ends relative to the array of solar panels (12). Each strip spans two or more solar panels, and is wind-displaceable so as to contribute to cleaning of at least two of the solar panels (12).

Methods and apparatus for vaporizing liquid into the surrounding environment, including directing liquid from a liquid source through an inverse-opal wicking structure to a vaporization port where the vaporization port is formed by a through-hole in a structure connecting a first side of the structure to a second side, with all dimensions ranging from 10 um to 300 um, that is in fluid communication with the liquid source and the surrounding environment so that fluid is transported through the vaporization port between the first and the second side. The methods and apparatus includes plurality of heating elements that may be individually and/or selectively addressable by at least three electrode leads.

Provided is a UFB generating apparatus capable of manufacturing an ozone UFB-contained liquid with high purity and quality. To this end, in the UFB generating apparatus capable of generating UFBs containing ozone by causing film boiling in ozone water, a liquid contact portion to come into contact with the ozone water is made of a material with corrosion resistance to ozone water.