Abstract: An apparatus and a method for expanding a slurry of thermally expandable thermoplastic microsphere is disclosed. The apparatus and method expand the slurry of thermally expandable thermoplastic microsphere without any direct contact to a fluid heat transfer medium. The apparatus and method utilize a distribution pipe attached to an outlet pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for expanding a slurry of thermally expandable thermoplastic microsphere is disclosed. The apparatus and method expand the slurry of thermally expandable thermoplastic microsphere without any direct contact to a fluid heat transfer medium. The apparatus and method utilise a distribution pipe attached to an outlet pipe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing expanded thermoplastic microspheres from thermally expandable thermoplastic microspheres comprising a polymer shell encapsulating a foaming agent, the method comprising heating the expandable microspheres within a flexible container (2) to effect expansion of said microspheres and withdrawing gas from said flexible container (2). The invention further relates to an expansion device for preparing such expanded thermoplastic microspheres.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the preparation of expanded thermoplastic microspheres from unexpanded thermally expandable thermoplastic microspheres comprising a thermoplastic polymer shell encapsulating a blowing agent. The method comprises: (a) feeding a slurry of such expandable thermoplastic microspheres in a liquid medium into a heating zone; (b) heating the slurry in the heating zone, without direct contact with any fluid heat transfer medium, so the expandable microspheres reach at least a temperature at which they would have started to expand at atmospheric pressure, and maintaining a pressure in the heating zone sufficiently high so the microspheres in the slurry do not-fully expand; and, (c) withdrawing the slurry of expandable microspheres from the heating zone into a zone with a pressure sufficiently low for the microspheres to expand.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing expanded thermoplastic microspheres from thermally expandable thermoplastic microspheres comprising a polymer shell encapsulating a foaming agent, the method comprising heating the expandable microspheres within a flexible container (2) to effect expansion of said microspheres and withdrawing gas from said flexible container (2). The invention further relates to an expansion device for preparing such expanded thermoplastic microspheres.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing expanded thermoplastic microspheres, comprising charging thermally expandable microspheres into an expansion device comprising rotating feeding means enveloped by a hollow body, and one or more scrapers. The invention further relates to an expansion device for expanding thermoplastic microspheres.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing expanded thermoplastic microspheres, comprising charging thermally expandable microspheres into an expansion device comprising rotating feeding means enveloped by a hollow body, and one or more scrapers. The invention further relates to an expansion device for expanding thermoplastic microspheres.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing expanded thermoplastic microspheres, comprising charging thermally expandable microspheres into an expansion device comprising rotating feeding means enveloped by a hollow body, and one or more scrapers. The invention further relates to an expansion device for expanding thermoplastic microspheres.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for drying and expanding microspheres whereby first a dispersion of the microspheres in an inert liquid is prepared. This dispersion is then atomized in a hot inert gas. The process of the invention is advantageously carried out in a spray dryer.