Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchange element (1) for a film heat exchanger intended for distillation or for the evaporation of solutions or suspensions, and to a method for manufacturing the same. The substantially bag-like element is formed by bonding from oppositely positioned plastic heat exchange films (2), evaporation of liquid taking place on the exterior surfaces of the films and condensing of the obtained vapor taking place on the interior surfaces. In the bonding the interior (4) of the element is divided into ducts to direct the travel of the vapor, and according to the invention the films are at the same time stretched in the intervals between the bonding points (3) in order to provide leeway for bulging during the pressurization of the interior of the element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a distillation apparatus (1) which is suitable in particular for the distillation of sea water into fresh water. The apparatus includes a plurality of flat, bag-like elements (3) formed from a thin film material such as plastic film and placed one against the other, the elements serving as heat exchangers between a vaporizing liquid flowing along the exterior surfaces of the element and a condensing vapor directed to the inside of the element, and a compressor (15) for increasing the pressure and temperature of the generated vapor before it is directed to the inside of the elements. The essential idea of the invention is that at the upper end of each bag-like element (3) there is a honeycomb-structured end strip (4) having substantially the width of the element, the strip containing parallel feeding ducts (26) separated from each other by partition walls, the ducts distributing the liquid to be evaporated over the entire width of the element surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a distillation apparatus (1) which is suitable in particular for the distillation of sea water into fresh water. The apparatus comprises a plurality of flat, bag-like elements (3) formed from a thin film material such as plastic film and placed one against the other, the elements serving as heat exchangers between a vaporizing liquid flowing along the exterior surfaces of the element and a condensing vapor directed to the inside of the element, and a compressor (15) for increasing the pressure and temperature of the generated vapor before it is directed to the inside of the elements. The essential idea of the invention is that the inside of each element (3) is divided into parallel vapor ducts (12) extending vertically from one end of the element to the other, into which ducts the vapor is fed from apertures (25) at the upper edge of the element.