Abstract: The present invention provides a novel group of particles for air filter inspection which solves problems caused by volatilization and scattering of those particles at the downstream side of the air filter in use, enables an air filter inspection with superior stability and reproducibility, and may be produced by using a comparative inexpensive manufacturing device, and manufacturing methods as well as inspection methods of such a group of particles. The group of particles for air filter inspection consists of a plurality of aggregate particles having a particle size of not less than 0.1 &mgr;m, each aggregate particle being constituted by solid primary particles having an average particle size of less than 55 nm.

Abstract: In order to produce aluminium oxide beads, an acid aluminium oxide sol or an acid aluminium oxide suspension is converted into droplets by a vibrating nozzle plate and pre-solidified after the formation of a bead shape by laterally blowing gaseous ammonia and then coagulated in an ammonia solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an atomization apparatus and method for the formation of substantially uniform, at least nearly spherical particles, particularly for the formation of metal particles. The present invention provides an atomization apparatus having a nozzle positioned at the bottom of a cooling chamber. Rayleigh wave instability may be induced by imparting vibrations to a stream of molten material which is released in an upward direction. This produces uniform droplets having an initial velocity sufficient to increase the residence time of the droplets in an inert atmosphere. The parabolic trajectory of the droplets over a 2 m vertical displacement is approximately five times longer than a freefall, thus significantly increasing the cooling time without increasing the cooling chamber height. Further the kinetic energy of each droplet is much lower throughout its trajectory which serves to improve the formation of spherical shaped particles and to lower the impact velocity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to vibrational methods of fabricating electrically conducting polymers and precursors thereof in which the polymer chains are deaggregated. Such deaggregated conducting polymers and precursors thereof exhibit better solution processability and higher electrical conductivity than do the corresponding aggregated polymers. The polymers in the non-doped precursor form or in the conducting form in solution or during the polymerization process are exposed to ultrasound and shear mixing. Due to this treatment, the chains become deaggregated. Furthermore, ultrasound and shear mixing is used during the doping of the precursor polymers. This treatment allows more uniform doping, enhanced solubility, and higher electrical conductivity. The solutions treated with ultrasound/shear mixing are subsequently processed into a structural part, a film, or a fiber.

Abstract: Prills of ammonium dinitramide (ADN) are prepared by melting this salt with a stabilizer and, by dry nitrogen pressure, injecting the molten salt i an inert, perfluorinated carrier liquid of greater specific gravity which, initially, is above the solidification temperature of the salt. The molten salt and carrier liquid pass together in turbulent flow through a heated conduit in which stationary vanes disperse the salt into droplets. The liquid and salt then pass in turbulent flow through a cooled conduit for solidification of the salt into prills without agglomeration. The prills are then separated from the liquid by flotation and any liquid carried with the prills recycled. The main flow of carrier liquid is pumped through a preheater and then back to the molten salt injector. The cooled conduit is provided with compression refrigeration, the refrigerant passing in parallel flow along the conduit and the compressed refrigerant passing to the preheater before condensation.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for spraying liquid compositions containing volatile solvent by using compressed fluids, such as carbon dioxide or ethane, to form solid particulates, coating powders, and catalyst materials, which can be produced with narrow particle size distributions and can be sprayed at higher solids levels, in ambient air or with heated air applied to just the spray instead of a spray chamber. Novel catalyst supports can be produced having a beneficial morphology such as for olefin catalysis. Drier water-borne coatings can be applied to substrates by using compressed fluids to spray water-borne coating compositions having conventional water levels, thereby reducing runs and sags and shortening dry times.

Abstract: A microparticle comprising an active substance which is a central core made of liquid, gaseous or solid particle of regular or irregular shape, and the method for entrapping said active substance in a coating material which is conformationally distributed on said active substance and has a thickness ranging from the thickness of a monomolecular layer to about 100 .mu.m. These compositions are useful for applications that require protection, prolonged release, taste masking, improved stability, altered handling behavior, altered surface properties including particle wettability, and other desirably altered properties.

Abstract: Prills are prepared by melting a salt and introducing the molten salt into carrier liquid. Oxidizing salts of ammonia, ammonium nitrate (AN) and ammonium dinitramide (ADN) are melted with a stabilizer and introduced by dry nitrogen pressure into an inert, perfluorinated carrier liquid of greater specific gravity than the molten salts. In a first embodiment, the carrier liquid is quiescent and below the salt solidification temperature so that prills solidify from drops of the salt rising through a column which substantially retains the liquid. In a second and continuous embodiment, the carrier liquid is initially above the solidification temperature, and the salt is injected into the moving liquid which passes with the molten salt in turbulent flow through a heated conduit, in which stationary vanes disperse the salt into droplets, and then through a cooled conduit for solidification of the salt into prills without agglomeration.

Abstract: Pearls of an active principle exhibiting an indefinite crystallization point, wherein said pearls exhibit a prolonged, immediate or combination release profiles, are made by melting the active principle and a crystallization excipient to create a molten mixture; introducing the mixture into feed receptacles of a prilling tower; passing the mixture through a nozzle which is vibrated to form pearls; and allowing the pearls to fall in the tower countercurrentwise to cold air, where the tower is provided with a fluidized bed proximate the bottom of the tower and the temperature conditions of the said fluidized bed are maintained depending on the release profile desired.

Abstract: Non agglomerating hollow sub-micron size, 0.5 to 2.0 um, indium oxide microspheres are produced using an aerosol pyrolysis method using an indium compound, preferably, an indium acetate precursor, which is dissolved in water, without the use of chlorine or other dangerous chemicals, to generate an indium constituent such as, acetate dihydroxy indium (III), formed in droplets which, when heated by furnace temperatures of 650-700.degree. C., form the indium oxide microspheres particles suitable for polymer loading as a polyimide matrix particularly useful as antistatic coatings.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing precise complex three dimensional structures in which minute drops of both a product layer and a sacrificial layer are emitted from an acoustic device. The process is a two step process wherein first the three dimensional structure is built in layers which are composed of either a sacrificial layer or a product layer or some configuration of both. Once the structure has been completely built up, then the sacrificial layer is removed leaving only the complex three dimensional structure.

Abstract: A precursor solution composition is provided for making highly pure, fine barium-containing silicate glass powders and specifically barium aluminoborosilicate (BABS) glass powders. An atomized precursor solution containing colloidal silica, a water soluble source of barium, boric acid, and aluminum nitrate is used to make the powders. After mixing, the liquid precursor solution is formed into fine droplets, classified for size, and pyrolyzed into fine powders. The resulting spherical particles of the BABS glass is in the 0.1 to 10 micrometer size range.

Abstract: Uniform sized and shaped spheres are formed by applying a minute periodic disturbance to a low viscosity liquid material. Pressure forces the material through at least one orifice in a crucible as a steady laminar stream. The stream enters an enclosed controlled temperature solidification environment which contains at least one heat transfer medium. A charging means is applied to the stream as the stream exits the crucible and breaks into a plurality of spheres to deflect the spheres as they pass through an electric field. The enclosed controlled temperature solidification environment cools and substantially solidifies the spheres.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new method for the production of polymer microparticles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of particles each comprising an excipient forming a matrix and at least one active ingredient uniformly distributed in the mass of said matrix, said process, which comprises the operations of extrusion and then lyophilization, being characterized in that it comprises the steps consisting of(1.) the preparation of a homogeneous mixture from(a) at least one active ingredient,(b) a physiologically acceptable hydrophilic excipient, and(c) waterto give a pasty mixture with a viscosity below 1 Pa.s, measured at room temperature (15.degree.-20.degree. C.);(2.) the extrusion of the resulting homogeneous mixture and the cutting of the extrudate to give moist particles;(3.) the freezing of the resulting particles as they fall under gravity through a stream of inert gas at a temperature below 0.degree. C.; and(4.) the freeze drying of said particles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for manufacturing a free standing solid metal part. In the present invention metal droplets are ejected in a nozzleless fashion from a free surface pool of molten metal by applying focused acoustic radiation pressure. The acoustic radiation pressure is produced by high intensity acoustic tone bursts emitted from an acoustic source positioned at the bottom of the pool which directs the acoustic energy at the pool surface. The metal droplets are electrostatically charged so their trajectory can be controlled by electric fields that guide the droplets to predetermined points on a target. The droplets impinge upon the target and solidify with the target material. The accretion of the electrostatically directed solidified droplets forms the free standing metal part.

Abstract: In order to form separate particles from a flowable mass, the flowable mass is fed through a pipe and extruded through holes formed along a longitudinal axis thereof. The pipe is oscillated by an agitator in a direction transversely of the longitudinal axis to cause the extruded mass to be sheared-off in the form of particles. Stop members can be positioned adjacent respective sides of the pipes to be contacted by the pipe and thereby define change-of-direction points for the pipe during its oscillation. The agitator may include piezoelectric ceramics attached to the stop members.

Abstract: A method for the production of finely particulate solid chemical products from a molten stock comprises the steps of: (a) feeding the product, as molten stock, to an elongated treatment space, sealed from the ambient; (b) causing the product to flow as a flowable mass within space, while leaving a free portion of said space above the surface of said mass; (c) maintaining in said space an atmosphere that is non-reactive with said product; (d) subjecting said product to a stirring and mixing action by rotary means; (e) concurrently cooling said product as it proceeds along said space, whereby to solidify it; (f) concurrently detaching any product that adheres to surfaces within said space; and (g) discharging the solidified product, in the form of solid particles, from said elongated treatment space.

Abstract: A process for producing solid particles by drying a spray of liquid droplets. The droplets are formed by projecting a liquid formulation as a plurality of jets J (FIG. 6) in such a way that each jet breaks up into droplets of narrow size distribution. Prior to the onset of coalescence the droplets are contacted with a gas flow (G) which is arranged to reduce coalescence by disrupting slip streaming of the droplets and/or accelerating the droplets.

Abstract: A granulation water control apparatus for a granulating machine used in a granular fertilizer production process and its granulation water control method. A particle size weight distribution of a semi-fabricated fertilizer discharged from the granulating machine is calculated, and a central particle size of the particle size weight distribution is calculated. The calculated central particle size and a previously set target central particle size are compared, and if they do not agree, a quantity of the granulation water to be charged into the granulating machine is calculated in accordance with a difference between the calculated central particle size and the target central particle size and the past statistical data.

Abstract: A solid product as a catalyst component for an olefin polymerization catalyst is obtained by the reaction of metallic magnesium, an alcohol, and a halogen in an amount ranging from 0.019 to 0.06 gram-atom per one mole of metallic magnesium. Alternatively, the halogen component is a halogen-containing compound which contains not less than 0.0001 gram-atom of a halogen atom per one gram-atom of metallic magnesium.

Abstract: A process for preparing a powdered product with superior homogeneity. A precursor solution is prepared by adding an additive selected from glycerol, glyceryl nitrate, polyglycerols, glycols or polyglycols with a concentration of 0.1-2.0 percent by weight to an aqueous solution of metal nitrate. The precursor solution is atomized into droplets and thereafter heat treated to obtain a powdered product of particles.

Abstract: A poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) composition is disclosed comprising 50 to 95 weight percent PPD-T and 5 to 50 weight percent PVP along with a process for making the composition and articles made from the composition.

Abstract: A process and device are disclosed for producing microspheres by vibration-provoked dripping of a liquid through a nozzle plate (12) provided with several openings (14). In order to be able to produce spheres having up to 5 mm size, the same amount of liquid per unit of time drips through each opening (14) of the nozzle plate (12). The falling drops (18) form an envelope surrounded from all sides by flowing reaction gas. The reaction gas is introduced inside or outside the envelope and sucked away inside or outside the envelope.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of microparticles, and the product thereof, that includes dispersing a substantially water insoluble non-ionic or ionic polymer in an aqueous solution in which the substance to be delivered is also dissolved, dispersed or suspended, and then coagulating the polymer together with the substance by impact forces to form a microparticle. In an alternative embodiment, the microparticle is formed by coagulation of an aqueous polymeric dispersion through the use of electrolytes, pH changes, organic solvents in low concentrations (the minimal amount necessary to break up the dispersion), or temperature changes to form polymer matrices encapsulating biological materials.

Abstract: A fluent ceramic material is provided under pressure to a plurality of piston and cylinder devices for the purpose of dispensing drops to form balls of ceramic material. The piston and cylinder devices are each provided with a nozzle positioned above a droplet catch basin containing an aqueous gelatinizing solution. A cam mechanism controls the stroke of a piston in each cylinder so that a specific amount of the fluent ceramic material from the storage tank is dispensed in drops from the nozzles into the droplet catch basin. The use of the cam mechanism ensures the dispensing of a specific amount of material from the nozzle corresponding to a desired diameter of the resulting ceramic material ball. The desired diameter can be easily changed by appropriately changing a cam disk of the cam mechanism. The rate of production can be appropriately increased or decreased by increasing or decreasing the cyclic rate of the pistons.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for recovering polymer particles from a solution of polymer by evaporating the solvent from the solution by successively treating the solution into a first agitated vessel and treating the resulting polymer into a second agitated vessel. Furthermore, the invention relates to an apparatus for performing the aforesaid process for recovering polymer particles.

Abstract: Proposed is a process for the production of spherical alginate pellets from drops of alginate solution delivered by a nozzle, the drops being solidified by dropping them into an ionic solution and subsequently removing the pellets and rinsing them. The alginate solution is converted into drops by vibrational stimuli, and the drops subsequently allowed to remain substantially free in the ionic solution until the required degree of solidification has been reached.

Abstract: Compositions suitable for application in powder coating processes are produced by melt atomisation of thermosettable mixtures. The product is characterised by improved particle size distribution and by a generally rounded particle shape.

Abstract: A method for making a granular product including sodium silicate and its water of crystallization, having a specific weight of from 0.5 to 1.2 and completely soluble in water at ambient temperature includes the step of granulating a pseudoplastic mass of sodium silicate having a free water content of between 5 and 12% by weight under hot conditions in an air-steam environment.

Abstract: Titanate ceramic materials are made by forming a common solution (10) of barium acetate, strontium acetate, isopropyl titanate, lactic acid and water, forming a mist of particles of approximately 50 um or smaller, directing a carrier stream of gas (14) through the mist into a reaction zone in a furnace (20) where the material is pyrolyzed and then collected as a powder in a filter (24) or deposited onto a substrate. The tetra-isopropyl titanate and lactic acid may be replaced by commercially available titanium ammonium lactate. In a first embodiment the carrier gas is an oxidizing gas while in a second embodiment it is an inert gas resulting in powder having greater density.

Abstract: A method of crystallizing plastic such as polyethylene terephthlate in the form of small particles comprises the steps of placing the particles in a liquid bath such as water, agitating the bath using jets of hot gas such as steam while simultaneously raising the temperature of the particles to a level at which the plastic crystallizes to a predetermined level of crystallinity. The particles are thereafter separated from the bath and dried.

Abstract: A process for producing spherical polymer particles which may be either monodisperse of a predetermined and controlled size, or polydisperse, using a liquid atomization technique. The process includes an aerosol generator to create a stream or multiple streams of liquid droplets sprayed into a thermal reactor. The aerosol generator sprays the feed solution which comprises liquid organic monomers or semi-polymerized monomers, a polymerization catalyst and optionally, a solvent, into the thermal reactor environment. The solvent evaporates allowing polymerization reactions to commence. Polymerization may proceed by a variety of methods. Polymerization is completed during the flight-time of the droplets and the solid polymer particles are collected at the bottom of the reactor.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a net form product, including directing a stream of liquid from a nozzle onto a collector of the shape of the desired product, applying a disturbance to the stream, preferably an amplitude modulated disturbance, to produce a droplet stream, and with the nozzle and collector in a chamber, controlling the chamber environment. An apparatus for manufacturing a net form product having a source of molten material under pressure, a support for positioning a product collector in a chamber with the collector defining a desired product, a droplet stream generator positioned within the chamber and including a nozzle, a conduit for conducting molten material from the material source to the generator nozzle, a mechanism, typically a modulator, for disturbing the droplet stream, and a drive mechanism for relative movement of the nozzle and support.

Abstract: A thickener for liquids is disclosed. The thickener consists of organic polymer fibrid particles with a very small size, a very high aspect ratio, and very low bulk density. The thickener is made by drying newly-coagulated fibrid particles in a way that results in high particulate surface area.

Abstract: An ultrasonic device for the continuous production of microdroplets of uniform particle size distribution. This device comprises a vibrating surface (11) which, by its orthogonal ultrasonic vibratory mode, atomizes a material in the liquid state brought up from the interior of the device by means (20,22,24) comprising an intermediate flow-regulating and/or heat-regulating chamber (22) subjacent the vibrating surface (11).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of granules of low-melting alkyl ester containing hindered hydroxylphenyl groups, which comprises(a) extracting a melt of crude alkyl ester containing hindered hydroxylphenyl groups with an aqueous alcoholic solution of N,N-dibenzylhydroxylamine (DBHA),(b) granulating the extracted melt by introducing said melt into an aqueous alcoholic solution maintained under a turbulent state at a temperature below 20.degree. C., and(c) isolating the resulting granules.

Abstract: An apparatus for pulverizing as least a jet of liquid material, preferrably olten metal. The pulverizing capacity is increased by disposing a plurality of ultrasonic actuators to generate a superimposed ultrasonic field having a very high energy density in at least one nodal area. The liquid material is pulverized in a pressurized gaseous fluid to induce an increased energy transfer for the ultrasonic energy.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing metal shot includes pans having rows of apertures in the bottom walls thereof, a deflector member for each row of openings vertically underlying the corresponding row of openings and having a planar surface disposed at an angle to horizontal, and an inclined conveyor spaced below the deflector members. The pans and the deflector members and conveyor are vibrated, and the deflector members are cooled. Molten metal is placed in the pans, and vibration of the pans causes the molten metal flow downwardly through the openings therein to be interrupted, whereby droplets fall from the openings onto the corresponding deflector member. The descent of the droplets through air and the impingement of the droplets on the cooled deflector members cool and solidify the droplets. The droplets are somewhat flattened by impingement against the deflector members and are deflected laterally therefrom and fall downwardly onto the conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for producing submicron and smaller metal alloy pacles using a main chamber having a longitudinal axis and a feeder for introducing a quantity of molten alloy under pulsed gas pressure in a direction generally radial to the axis. The feeder has a gas stream for forming metal droplets from said alloy. A gas accelerator directs axially flowing gas against the droplets from the feeder in the chamber. The accelerator directs the droplets in an axial direction to a substrate located along the axis and in the direction of flow from the accelerator to receive the droplets at a predetermined distance from the feeder, whereby the particles are produced.

Abstract: Techniques for producing fine metal powder are described, including producing droplets of molten metal to be formed into a powder, providing an environment including a substance specifically introduced for combining with the droplets, and submitting the droplets to the environment for combining the introduced substance with the droplet metal to form at least a partial coating on the powder including the introduced substance.

Abstract: An abrasive grain comprising about 20 to about 50% by weight of zirconia; reduced titania in an amount on analysis expressed as titanium dioxide of 1.5 to about 10% by weight; total carbon in an amount of 0.03 to about 0.5% by weight; impurities, if any, in a total amount on analysis expressed as the oxides of not greater than 3% by weight; and a balance of alumina. The microstructure of the abrasive grain comprises primary alumina or zirconia crystals embedded in a supporting alumina-zirconia eutectic matrix. The grain may be produced by combining and melting the alumina and zirconia; adding titania and carbon (excess carbon being required); melting and reducing the titania under reducing furnace conditions; and solidifying the melt in under three minutes by means of a suitable heat sink material. The abrasive grain has a high proportion of tetragonal zirconia and may be used to produce coated abrasive products or bonded abrasive products.

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: Uniform discoid particles made of at least one member selected from the group consisting of a natural high molecular substance, a synthetic high molecular substance and an inorganic compound, wherein each particle has a diameter of 20 to 2,000 .mu.m and a thickness/diameter ratio of 1/2 to 1/50, and not less than 80% of the whole particles have a diameter within the range of 0.5 to 2 times the number average diameter, and a process for preparing the particles. The discoid particle of the present invention has a larger surface area and therefore has a high efficiency when employed in various uses such as a parent material for an ion exchange resin, a packing material for a chromatograph, a catalyst and an culture medium for cell culture in comparison with conventional spherical particle.

Abstract: A process for preparing microspheres using very cold temperatures to freeze polymer-biologically active agent mixtures into polymeric microspheres with very high retention of biological activity and material. Polymer is dissolved in a solvent together with an active agent that can be either dissolved in the solvent or dispersed in the solvent in the form of microparticles. The polymer/active agent mixture is atomized into a vessel containing a liquid non-solvent, alone or frozen and overlayed with a liquified gas, at a temperature below the freezing point of the polymer/active agent solution. The cold liquified gas or liquid immediately freezes the polymer droplets. As the droplets and non-solvent for the polymer is warmed, the solvent in the droplets thaws and is extracted into the non-solvent, resulting in hardened microspheres.

Abstract: Uniform polymer particles in a spherical form, having a three dimensional network structure, wherein not less than 80% by volume of the whole particles have a particle size within the range of .+-.20% of the volume average particle size of said uniform polymer particles, and said uniform polymer particles do not include particles having a particle size of not more than 5% of the volume average particle size, a process for preparing the uniform polymer particles, an apparatus suitable for use in the process, and a method of direct extracorporeal hemo-perfusion treatment using the uniform polymer particles. The uniform polymer particles of the present invention can be also used in various uses such as a parent material for an ion exchange resin, an adsorbent, and a packing material for a chromatography.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of granules of low-melting alkyl esters containing hindered hydroxyphenyl groups which comprises introducing a melt of the compound into a cold aqueous solution of an organic water-miscible solvent, thereby obtaining free-flowing and dust-free granules.

Abstract: The invention involves a method for making uniformly sized particles from solid compounds. First, a suitable solid compound is dissolved in a suitable solvent. Then, a precipitating liquid is infused, precipitating non-aggregated particles with substantially uniform mean diameter. The particles are then separated from the solvent. Depending on the solid compound and the desired particle size, the parameters of temperature, ratio of non-solvent to solvent, infusion rate, stir rate, and volume can be varied according to the invention. The precipitating liquid may be aqueous or non-aqueous, depending upon the relative solubility of the compound and the desired suspending vehicle.

Abstract: Device which serves to atomize a solid or liquid medium with the aid of a standing ultrasonic wave that is generated between two ultrasonic transmitters. This allows one to tune the standing ultrasonic wave automatically when the temperature of the medium or other process parameters should change.

Abstract: Perfectly spherical, smooth and uniform microcapsules, which may contain living cells, are produced having a diameter less than 700 .mu.m by employing an electrostatic droplet generator. A droplet is suspended from a pointed source, such as a needle, and is charged with high static voltage. A collecting vessel or ring device is charged with opposing polarity and attracts the droplet. When a voltage potential threshold is passed, the droplet moves from the source to the collecting vessel. The voltage pulse height, pulse frequency and length, and extrusion rate of the droplets are adjustable so that predetermined sizes of droplets may be repeatedly generated and collected.