Abstract: Cellulose ester microparticles with unique properties are made by a process having the following steps:(a) dissolving a cellulose ester in a liquid comprising a solvent for the cellulose ester and a non-solvent for the cellulose ester, thereby forming a dope;(b) spheronizing the dope thereby forming fine droplets of the dope;(c) dropping the droplets for a finite amount of time; and(d) precipitating the droplets in a bath containing a precipitant.

Abstract: Cellulose ester microparticles with unique properties are made by a process having the following steps:(a) dissolving a cellulose ester in a liquid comprising a solvent for the cellulose ester and a non-solvent for the cellulose ester, thereby forming a dope;(b) spheronizing the dope thereby forming fine droplets of the dope;(c) dropping the droplets for a finite amount of time; and(d) precipitating the droplets in a bath containing a precipitant.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of manufacturing foamed cellulose acetate and the product produced thereby. More specifically, the invention relates to a melt extrusion process for producing open cell structure foamed cellulose acetate having special use as a filtering element for an aerosol such as tobacco smoke.

Abstract: A melt extrusion process for producing a low density open cell filtering element for an aerosol such as tobacco smoke from plasticized cellulose acetate. A mixture of cellulose acetate, plasticized, a volatile liquid blowing agent which is at least a partial solvent for the cellulose acetate and a nucleating agent are melt extruded under conditions wherein the melt is subjected to high shear, the loss of the blowing agent through back flow is prevented, the melt is reduced in temperature prior to extrusion and the extrudate is conditioned in a hot air chamber and then sized in a sizing die.