Abstract: Apparatus and method for making powder from a metallic melt by atomizing the melt to form droplets and reacting the droplets downstream of the atomizing location with a reactive gas. The droplets are reacted with the gas at a temperature where a solidified exterior surface is formed thereon and where a protective refractory barrier layer (reaction layer) is formed whose penetration into the droplets is limited by the presence of the solidified surface so as to avoid selective reduction of key reactive alloyants needed to achieve desired powder end use properties. The barrier layer protects the reactive powder particles from environmental constituents such as air and water in the liquid or vapor form during subsequent fabrication of the powder to end-use shapes and during use in the intended service environment.

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 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: 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: An apparatus for manufacturing seamless capsules is provided with a multiple nozzle which blows multilayer liquid drops into a hardening liquid. The hardening liquid flows through a main flow path and an auxiliary flow path. The flow of hardening liquid through the main flow path is biased in a direction intersecting the main flow path by a flow of hardening liquid into the main flow path from the auxiliary flow path or a discharge of the hardening liquid from the main flow path into the auxiliary flow path.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing seamless capsules, wherein multi-layer liquid flow is blown out of a multiple nozzle to form multi-layer droplets which are brought into contact with hardening liquid to be solidified to thereby manufacture the seamless capsules SC and an apparatus therefor. A groove having U-shaped section for supplying the hardening liquid and the multi-layer droplets is orientated in a direction tangent to a circular section of a hardening vessel in the hardening vessel and a helical flow is formed in the hardening liquid in the hardening vessel, whereby the multi-layer droplets are fallen, moving helically in the hardening vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing seamless capsules having satisfactory multilayer liquid drops without deformation, wherein a multilayer liquid flow is blown out of a multiple nozzle to form multilayer liquid drops which are brought into contact with hardening liquid for manufacturing seamless capsules, and a nozzle moving device is connected to the multiple nozzle, whereby the multiple nozzle is movably adjustable by this nozzle moving device in a direction intersecting or preferably perpendicular to the flow of the hardening liquid in a flow path of the hardening liquid.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating seeds includes a seed supply portion having a rotating drum with a small aperture for attracting a seed by vacuum created inside the drum and which is broken at a predetermined rotational position, and a gel-coating portion having a cylindrical cutting plunger disposed inside of a nozzle body for opening and closing a gel flow channel and forming a gel-coating layer. A curing vessel having a curing agent flow channel and a spray nozzle for washing the coated seeds are also provided.

Abstract: A spray header and nozzle assembly which includes a first elongated tubular member and a second elongated tubular member of a smaller diameter than the first tubular member coaxially disposed within the first tubular member to form an annular space between the first and second tubular members and a plurality of spray nozzle assemblies in fluid communication with the inside of the second tubular member. The spray nozzle assemblies are perpendicularly disposed to the axis of both tubular members and recessed into the annular space. Also, the nozzle assemblies include a first tube extending a predetermined distance beyond the circumference of the first tubular member and a second tube of a smaller diameter than the first tube coaxially disposed within the first tube and recessed into the first tube.

Abstract: Sulphur is obtained to the desired granulation and at the same time cooled by means of a directed hollow cylindrical jet of melted sulfur, on either side of which, i.e., both inside and outside the cylinder of molten sulfur, there are two jets of cold water, the jets being directed onto a disk which is able to turn freely. The jets of water and sulfur strike the disk between the middle of the disk and its outer edge and make it turn, while at the same time the sulfur hardens into granules. The turning spins the granules off the disk. The fact that there are two jets of water leads to a better particle size of the sulfur and, because there is a better contact between the water and the sulfur, prevents any hardening of the sulfur upon the disk.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of encapsulated bodies employing a dropping tank for a fluid to form the cores of the encapsulated bodies and a reaction tank containing a solution capable of forming gel skins upon contact with the core material in communication therewith. Double-walled cylindrical nozzles are arranged in a lower part of the drop tank, the inner and outer walls of the double-walled cylindrical nozzles being coaxial. A pressurized air feed pipe is in communication with an upper part of the dropping tank. The peripheral walls of the reaction tank are in the form of a double-walled cylinder whose upper peripheral portion of its inner wall contains a screen. A liquid feed pipe and a capsule discharge port are provided in communication with the interior of the reaction tank through lower parts of the double-walled cylinder. A liquid discharge port also is provided in communication with an annular spacing of the double-walled cylinder through its outer wall.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming ceramic or metal powders has a plasma generator, a source of material in the form of powder particles and a projection torch for passing the material through the plasma to melt the powder particles and then projecting a stream of plasma and material via an outlet. A container is provided for containing the projected stream. A plurality of spray diffusers are arranged to diffuse a spray of cryogenic liquid into a space through which the projected stream travels, whereby the projected stream is quenched. A console controls the flow rates of the powder particles and the plasma into the projection torch.

Abstract: Reduced-size granulation chamber for extruders of materials such as plastics, constituted by a rotating drum wherein the cooling water remains adherent to the walls due to the centrifugal force and which has openings for the exit of the water and of the granules and is inserted in a basket which is in turn inserted in a container, both being fixed and separating the water from the granules, the granules being thrust by inclined fins arranged outside the drum in the chamber defined between the drum and the basket while the water falls by gravity into the second chamber defined between the basket and the fixed chamber.

Abstract: A prilling apparatus and process for producing seed material for size enlargement processes such as a granulation process for bisphenol. The apparatus includes a fluidized bed system with a spray header therein for producing spray droplets of material in a gaseous stream such as nitrogen to form prills of less than about 1 mm diameter.

Abstract: Bead producing process and an apparatus in which sol having enzymes, plant tissues, etc. dispersed therein is dropped into a solidifying liquid through a perforated plate. The sol is fed from a sol supply tank to a position near of the outer periphery of the planet gear of a planetary gear mechanism which is disposed on the perforated plate. At this moment, the sol supply tank is raised at a given rate in proportion to a decrease in the liquid level thereof so that the liquid level of the sol in the sol supply tank may be kept constant with respect to the perforated plate.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for producing liquid droplets having a narrow size distribution. Thin liquid streams are forced under pressure through a plurality of orifices in an orifice plate, the largest of which orifices has a diameter not greater than about three times the diameter of the smallest of those orifices. Also the thin liquid streams are vibrated to cause the breakup of each stream into droplets having a narrow size distribution.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing relatively large and dense, relatively dry sulfur particles from molten sulfur comprises a manifold having a number of small, spaced apart, molten sulfur discharge apertures which are sized, according to the rate and pressure head at which the molten sulfur is received, for enabling the sulfur flow from each aperture to be laminar. Included is a vessel for holding a quenching liquid, preferably water. The manifold is mounted above the vessel with the discharge apertures preferably about one quarter inch to about two inches above the quenching liquid surface. Means are included for continuously moving the manifold in a circular path while the moltlen sulfur is discharged from the manifold apertures so that the discharged streams continually contact different regions of the quenching liquid. A conveyor is connected to the vessel for removing particulate sulfur therefrom.

Abstract: A device for encapsulating seeds in a gel. A nozzle with dual vertical, rectilinear, concentric tubes--i.e., an inner tube and an outer tube--is supplied with gel that is fed into the outer tube. The gel goes down the outer tube to an outlet from the inner tube, so that a meniscus of gel is stretched across the outlet. Singulated seeds are fed into an inlet of the inner tube, so that each seed--and only one--drops down upon a meniscus of gel. A slight puff of air is caused to pass down the inner tube and slightly inflate the meniscus upon which a seed has dropped. More gel is fed, to cause the meniscus to separate from the outlet and form a drop of gel with a seed inside, which drops down into a fixative bath that causes the gel to set.

Abstract: Encapsulation apparatus for forming capsules by dropping a coagulatable mixture into a coagulation tank, including a dropping tank with a perforated bottom and a coagulation tank beneath the dropping tank. The dropping tank has a shallow mid-section and deeper portions at the inlet and discharge ends. Pumps provide circulation between the discharge and inlet ends of the coagulation tank.

Abstract: A prilling apparatus and process for producing seed material for size enlargement processes such as a granulation process for bisphenol. The apparatus includes a fluidized bed system with a spray header therein for producing spray droplets of material in a gaseous stream such as nitrogen to form prills of less than about 1 mm diameter.

Abstract: System and method for producing metal or alloy powder are described comprising an electromagnetic levitating coil having an outlet for supporting a molten source of the metal or alloy and controllably discharging a molten stream thereof, an electromagnetic confining coil disposed at the outlet of the levitating coil and surrounding the molten stream for controlling the diameter of the molten stream, and either an atomization die and associated pressurized fluid source for disintergrating the confined molten stream into molten droplets for subsequent cooling to powder, or a controllable electromagnetic coil surrounding the confined molten stream for generating a downwardly and radially outwardly directed electromagnetic force interacting with the molten stream to form the droplets.

Abstract: A pulverulent, water-soluble material is agglomerated by projecting the material in a stream through a moistening zone. Means are provided for directing an aqueous gas towards the stream of particulate material in the moistening zone so that the stream of particulate material is surrounded by and confined throughout its path of travel through the moistening chamber as particles of the particulate material are moistened and fused, and means are provided for drying the material. Means are also provided for feeding a cooling gas and/or a stream of steam adjacent to and about the periphery of the stream of material.

Abstract: A method for generating prime powder from a material having a high melting point and apparatus for generating the powder is taught. The apparatus includes a melt delivery tube. The melt of the high melting material is introduced into the tube and exits from the tube into an atomization zone. Gas is delivered to the zone at high pressure as a stream to atomize the melt. Pursuant to the present invention, the atomizing gas is directed against the lower end of the melt delivery tube and it is deflected from the melt delivery tube into contact with the descending high temperature melt. A concave surface is provided on the end of the melt delivery tube to deflect the gas along the tube surface to minimize Eddy currents and provide better control of the atomization process.

Abstract: A machine is provided for forming a supply of jellifiable fluid into jelled spherical droplets by pouring that fluid out of a housing through nozzles while intersecting the path of the fluid with knives rotating in a horizontal plane on a rotated axle. Valves for the nozzles and the rotational speed of the axle are subject to adjustment. A mechanical arrangement is provided for holding all of the valves open to a desired degree against a closing force provided by springs. A jellifying agent is fed through the axle and out onto the knives so that jellification begins to occur immediately as the jellifiable fluid is cut into segments by the rotating knives.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying pellets of particulate material such as carbon black is characterized by a columnar drying vessel containing inclined trays or screens positioned so that the pellets or particulates roll from screen to screen down the column. Preferably, the pellets are subjected to countercurrent flow of drying gases while flowing down the screens. In other aspects, carbon black is pelleted with a nonaqueous liquid pelleting fluid and dried with vapors of the same pelleting fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for granulation in which particulate feed material is charged into a rotary cylindrical vessel (12) having its axis disposed horizontally, and respective cover plate (16,18) at each end for retaining the feed material, and a treatment gas and a process liquid is passed into the vessel during rotation of the latter.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying pellets of particulate material such as carbon black is characterized by a columnar drying vessel containing inclined trays or screens positioned so that the pellets or particulates roll from screen to screen down the column. Preferably, the pellets are subjected to countercurrent flow of drying gases while flowing down the screens. In other aspects, carbon black is pelleted with a nonaqueous liquid pelleting fluid and dried with vapors of the same pelleting fluid.

Abstract: Process for producing encapsulable globules by means of a film polymerized in situ, applicable particularly to the production of breeding substrates for entomophagous insects in the form of artificial lepidoptera eggs, in which process drops are frozen for their encapsulation and comprising the stages of: forming a jet of the substance to the frozen and spraying said jet in the form of drops by disintergration of said jet; collecting said drops on a cellular grid which is held at the surface of a bath of cryogenic liquid having a density less than that of said substance; sifting the frozen globules derived from the drops on at least one sieve immersed in the bath beneath said cellular grid.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for the production of atomized metal comprising a containment vessel having a sidewall terminating in a bottom plate through which atomizing gas and molten metal from a molten metal source external to said vessel enter said vessel through nozzle means sealed thereto. An air ingress port is provided in the vessel spaced from said bottom plate; the sidewall and bottom plate cooperating with said nozzle means to seal off the interior of the vessel and the metal particles therein from the area adjacent the source of molten metal; thereby providing an essentially closed vessel, particularly with respect to the area in which the nozzle means are mounted.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for producing a lightweight structural material (12), by forming gas-filled shells (38) of molten material from a matrix of nozzles (22) that form shells of very uniform size at very uniform rates. The matrix of molten shells coalesce into a multi-cell material of controlled cellular structure. The shells can be of two different sizes (38, 44) that are interspersed, to form a multicell material that has a regular cell pattern but which avoids planes of weakness and localized voids. The gas (50) in the shells can be under a high pressure, and can be a fire extinguishing gas.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for producing high purity metal powders of precisely controlled particle size. The apparatus employs a system for atomizing a stream of molten metal by a swirling fluid. After initial system set up, different particle sizes may be produced merely by interchanging atomization fluid inserts. Each replaceable atomization fluid insert includes an inlet for receiving a single gas supply at a fixed pressure. A spiral channel in the insert of decreasing cross-sectional dimension extends from the inlet to an outlet surrounding the streams of molten metal. The channel configuration of each of the replaceable inserts is designed so that a preselected atomization fluid velocity and/or spiral rate is provided for atomizing the molten metal to the desired particle size. Gas jets in a depending cooling tank are used to rapidly cool the particles while keeping them from impinging against the wall of the tank.

Abstract: Apparatus for contacting particles with a fluid includes two tubes having different diameters and each including a straight lower section inclined relative to the horizontal and a straight, vertical upper section, the lower ends of the tubes being joined together. Fluid introduced into the lower ends of the tubes allows particles to drop slowly in the larger diameter tube and fluidizes the same particles in the smaller diameter tube.

Abstract: A device for producing metallic particles utilizes the Coanda Effect to draw one stream of gas toward another stream of gas flowing over a foil. Molten metal is introduced between the two gas streams, and the resulting interaction breaks up the molten metal flow into particles of appropriate size, shape, composition and the like.

Abstract: A system is provided for forming small accurately-spherical objects. Preformed largely-spherical objects (18) are supported at the opening of a conduit (16) on the update of hot gas emitted from the opening, so the object is in a molten state. The conduit is suddenly jerked away at a downward incline, to allow the molten object to drop in free fall, so that surface tension forms a precise sphere. The conduit portion that has the opening, lies in a moderate-vacuum chamber 40, and the falling sphere passes through the chamber and through a briefly-opened valve (30) into a tall drop tower (32) that contains a lower pressure, to allow the sphere to cool without deformation caused by falling through air.

Abstract: The production of wax beads from molten material comprises releasing droplets from nozzles contained within a tank which is filled with water. The water adjacent the nozzles is maintained at a temperature above the melting point of the wax by means of steam coils. As the wax droplets formed by the nozzles rise through the column of water they cool and solidify to form spherical beads. The solidified beads which float on the water are separated from the water over a weir and are collected and dried.

Abstract: A core/sheath vibrating system is utilized to produce core droplets within the sheath, which in turn form into microparticles through phase separation. The flow momentum is first arrested by means of an inclined surface, and the combination is thence deposited, in a continuous, helical channel extending from one end to the other of the inside of a hollow, rotating drum. Rotation of the drum moves the forming microspheres through the channel. At the exit end of the drum, the sheath fluid which carries suspended microspheres, may be filtered, and the microspheres collected and utilized.

Abstract: Latex material disposed in a solvent is injected into a sheath fluid into which the solvent is soluble, but the latex is not. The solvent being jetted from a vibrating nozzle forms droplets within the flowing sheath, which is then delivered onto an inclined hydrophobic surface reposing at a low angle to the jet. As the droplet containing stream strikes and flows down the surface, its velocity is taken up as the phase separation process for forming microparticles begins.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously manufacturing finely divided magnesium, and similar metals, in which a liquid stream of magnesium ejected from a nozzle is impacted by a high velocity stream of inert gas to "atomize" the liquid magnesium, including means for the intermittent entrainment of an abrasive powder in the inert gas stream to remove the build-up of solid magnesium or magnesium compounds that otherwise would collect on the end of the nozzle and interfere with continuous operation of the "atomizing" process.

Abstract: The present invention is a shot making apparatus which allows rapid and reliable production of shot and which is relatively compact in size. The shot making apparatus comprises a receptacle for lead, at least one nozzle for discharging molten lead in droplet form from the receptacle, a heating means being disposed such as to heat the chute, a chute being disposed at a spacing from and at a downwardly inclined angle to the nozzle(s), and a container(s) for liquid coolant and lead droplets discharged from said nozzle(s).

Abstract: A device for pulverizing incombustible large solid radioactive wastes arising from atomic power plants or the like. The device comprises a furnace body provided with a vacant space for melting radioactive wastes, a gripper mounted on the furnace body to support the radioactive waste, plasma torches mounted on the furnace body to irradiate a plasma arc toward the lower end of the wastes, and a water vessel disposed below the vacant space.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for producing solid materials in form of microspheres or spherules for a number of applications, such as nuclear fuel, catalyst, fluid beds for fluidization and other like applications. An inert gas shield is provided to surround the droplets of liquid from which the microspheres shall be originated so as to prevent a premature reaction of such droplets with the reaction gas. Provision is made for renewing the braking foam placed over the liquid reactive bath and the reactive gas is supplied in the form of a blade-like stream so as to improve the contact time and intensity between the droplets and the reactive gas.

Abstract: Apparatus for pelletizing liquid and viscous products. A body of the liquid or viscous material is enclosed within a chamber having discharge orifices or nozzles at the bottom of the body of liquid. There is a body of gas above the liquid which is subjected alternately to increased and decreased gas pressures so that the pressure on the body of liquid is first above and then below atmospheric pressure. That causes the product to be discharged from the orifices in droplets. The droplets are then solidified to form pellets. A predetermined liquid level is maintained within the chamber. The changes in gas pressure are produced by operating a valve which connects the body of gas in the chamber alternately to a suction line and supply line for gas under pressure.

Abstract: A non-woven cellulose ester fibrous filter sheet material comprising cellulose ester staple fibers and cellulose ester fibrets which exhibits improved filtration properties and the method of its preparation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cooling and collecting prills at the bottom of a prill tower including a fluidized prill bed and a rake rotatable therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting molten elemental sulphur into solid pellets is described. Droplets of molten sulphur are passed through a liquid cooling medium, preferably water, the medium being maintained at a temperature range wherein annealing of the sulphur will occur. The pellets thereby obtained are hard surfaced, resistant to crushing and have low water retention in storage. In one embodiment semi-molten droplets are flattened during passage through the cooling medium by engaging deflection plates so that less flowable and more economically storable pellets are obtained.

Abstract: Finely divided sulfur particles in a liquid suspension are agglomerated by adding molten sulfur to the suspension and agitating the mixture to transform the particles into agglomerates wherein the finely divided sulfur particles are held together by the previously molten, now solidified sulfur, acting as a binder agent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing spheres from molten material, such as glass, by allowing drops of the molten material to pass from one end to another of a column containing a liquid, such as a mixture of salts, the temperature of the column being so graduated that the drops harden during passage through the column. The column can be bifurcated at the lower end into legs provided with cooling cuffs for alternate use.

Abstract: An apparatus for melt-spraying thermally sensitive material of low viscosity comprises a heatable multi-screw extruder having intermeshing, self-cleaning screws of specified clearance between the screws and between the screws and the extruder housing, a heatable pump for delivering molten material from the extruder to a heatable atomizer and a spray tank in which the atomizer is located for cooling and solidifying the melt-sprayed material.

Abstract: An apparatus for making beads and a bead product are provided in the form of a member rotatable about a generally vertical axis having an outer peripheral edge adapted to discharge molten material in the form of pellets as the member rotates, means for creating heat on said member sufficient to maintain a molten layer of material being discharged on the walls of said member and fluid cooling means receiving discharged pellets which may be glassy generally spherical particles as solids or having frothy uniform voids surrounded by a glassy smooth surface or having integral crystalline elements.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for prilling pharmaceuticals and the like. A mixture supply device provides a melted mixture of a pharmaceutical and a vehicle at a preselected pressure and at a temperature less than the decomposition temperature of the pharmaceutical, such vehicle being solid at normal room temperature. One or more guns receive the melted mixture. A pulse generator provides a train of pulses of preselected frequency and width which through a transducer causes a valve in each gun to periodically open at a frequency and for a duration controlled by the pulse frequency and width. Each gun has a nozzle supplying melted material upon opening of the corresponding valve and from which is ejected a series of spaced droplets of melt mixture at the pulse frequency, which droplets are of size controlled by the pulse width.