Abstract: A process for measuring, monitoring and/or controlling directed product movements of fluidized products in process systems (1) selected from fluidized bed and spouted bed systems during a spraying process for coating and/or granulation, which includes, with the aid of one or more microwave sensor devices (8), injecting microwave radiation without contact into one or more product streams, receiving the microwave radiation reflected by the particles of the particular product stream and, on the basis of the microwave radiation received, forming and transmitting a measurement signal for the characterization of the product stream, the corresponding use of microwave sensor devices (8) and correspondingly equipped apparatus (1).

Abstract: A process for measuring, monitoring and/or controlling directed product movements of fluidized products in process systems (1) selected from fluidized bed and spouted bed systems during a spraying process for coating and/or granulation, which includes, with the aid of one or more microwave sensor devices (8), injecting microwave radiation without contact into one or more product streams, receiving the microwave radiation reflected by the particles of the particular product stream and, on the basis of the microwave radiation received, forming and transmitting a measurement signal for the characterization of the product stream, the corresponding use of microwave sensor devices (8) and correspondingly equipped apparatus (1).

Abstract: A container (1), especially a fluidized container, including a housing upper part (2) and a housing lower part (3) is provided. The housing parts are detachably interlinked in an annular separation zone which is provided with a sealing element. The container in accordance with the invention provides that (i) the two housing parts are interlinked by coupling elements (8, 9) that engage with one another in a positive manner and that allow a limited movement in the direction of separation; (ii) the container parts are retained in a sealing position with a predetermined separation point (7) by means of a retainer (5), in which position an elastic sealing element (10) sealingly rests against the two coupling elements; and (iii) the coupling elements acts as a limiting stop when a maximum container pressure is exceeded, the predetermined separation point is activated and the housing parts are displaced towards the direction of separation.

Abstract: A container (1), especially a fluidized container, including a housing upper part (2) and a housing lower part (3) is provided. The housing parts are detachably interlinked in an annular separation zone which is provided with a sealing element. The container in accordance with the invention provides that (i) the two housing parts are interlinked by coupling elements (8, 9) that engage with one another in a positive manner and that allow a limited movement in the direction of separation; (ii) the container parts are retained in a sealing position with a predetermined separation point (7) by means of a retainer (5), in which position an elastic sealing element (10) sealingly rests against the two coupling elements; and (iii) the coupling elements acts as a limiting stop when a maximum container pressure is exceeded, the predetermined separation point is activated and the housing parts are displaced towards the direction of separation.

Abstract: In the method for producing a particulate material (58) from an at least partially liquid material (35) containing a solvent and/or dispersant, this material (35) is atomized in a process chamber (21) into droplets which are frozen to particles (131) by contact with a freezing fluid. The particles (131) are then dried by freeze-drying in the or in another process chamber (22) having a filter (18) at the top. For the freeze-drying, cooled process gas is passed upward from below through the process chamber (22) and through the filter (18) in such a way that at least a substantial part of the particles (131) rest against the filter (18) at least for a substantial part of the freeze-drying taking place in the process chamber (22). This makes it possible to dry a batch of particles (131) in a short time.

Abstract: A method and a device function for monitoring and/or controlling and regulating a granulation, agglomeration, instantization, coating and drying process in a fluidized layer or a moving bulk by determining the product moisture. At least during one process segment the total product moisture is measured substantially continuously over a period of seconds, in a contact-free manner using electromagnetic radiation in the high frequency or microwave range, by evaluation of the attenuation of the radiation as a measure of this total product moisture. Taking into account the product temperature, the measurement result is used to hold the total product moisture in a pre-determined range via a control circuit by changing the spray rate and/or the gas temperature and/or the volume flow.

Abstract: The apparatus has a container, which encloses a crude gas space, and at least one filter projecting into the crude gas space and having a filter axis and a shape-stable casing. This has a support member with two wire fabrics and a filtration member which forms its outer surface and has a wire fabric. The wire fabrics of the support member and of the filtration member are rotationally symmetrical with the filter axis, are adjacent to one another and are sintered with one another at the points of contact. When process gas is passed from the crude gas space through a filter, the process gas deposits dust present in it onto the outer surface of the casing. The or each filter is stable, durable and resistant to high or low temperatures and can be readily cleaned inside the container with a cleaning gas or a cleaning liquid.

Abstract: The wall has at least one wall part in which at least one window is fastened. The wall part has a casing and has a hole for each window. The window has at least one glass pane and a holder which encloses said pane and is tightly and nondetachably connected to said pane. A connection part enclosing the holder has a web and two limbs projecting from said web toward the holder. The connection part is welded to the casing at the web and to the holder at those ends of the limbs which face away from the web. The or each glass pane can thus be connected to the wall part tightly without an elastomeric seal and in such a manner that no fissures, crevices or other dead spaces result on the inside of the window.

Abstract: The container of the fluidized-bed apparatus has two wall parts detachably connected to one another and contains a pivotable perforated bottom arranged approximately at the height of the abutment point of the two wall parts. Each of the two wall parts is provided, at the abutment point, with an annular groove essentially arc-shaped in cross-section. The two grooves together form a channel open toward the container interior and contain a hollow seal which is circular in cross-section in the relaxed state. Said seal can be deformed by a fluid under pressure which is passed into it, for example compressed air, in such a way that, at a first fluid pressure value, it connects the two wall parts tightly to one another and at the same time tightly to the perforated bottom and that, at a second, lower fluid pressure value, it still connects the two wall parts tightly to one another but is separated from the perforated bottom by annular gap, so that said perforated bottom can be swivelled.

Abstract: The apparatus has at least one container. This has an inner wall part which separates a crude gas space from a clean gas space and holds filters projecting into the crude gas space as well as wet cleaning devices which have a displaceable spray member with a rotatable spray head having liquid outlet holes. During normal operation of the apparatus, process gas is passed through the container and the filters, the filters removing dust from the process gas and each spray member being present in a rest position and being flush with a surface of the wall part, which surface is adjacent to the crude gas space. The spray members are displaced into the crude gas space for wet-cleaning of the filters and then sprayed with cleaning liquid against the filters, the wet cleaning devices not connecting the crude gas space to the clean gas space in any position of the spray members.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production and/or treatment of particles has a gas circulation possessing a process chamber and a gas circulation device and at least one spray nozzle. The latter has a nozzle body with a liquid outlet and a gas passage surrounding the nozzle body at the liquid outlet and entering the process chamber. For the production and/or treatment of particles, the pressure in the gas circulation is reduced to a value below the ambient air pressure by a suction device and gas is circulated by the gas circulation device so that gas flows upward through the process chamber. In addition, a liquid is sprayed in the process chamber from time to time through the spray nozzle and at the same time gas is passed from a branch of the gas circulation to the gas passage of the spray nozzle and through the latter into the process chamber. This gas protects the spray nozzle from the adhesion of sprayed liquid without additional gas entering the gas circulation from outside.

Abstract: An apparatus used for coating particles has a vessel in which a rotor which can be rotated about a vertical axis and possesses a disk. During coating of particles, the particles rest on the disk and are moved by the latter as a result of rotation, a process gas also being passed upward through an annular gap present between the wall of the vessel and the disk. The apparatus has at least one atomizing member which projects into the particle bed present on the disk. A coating material which is solid at room temperature is melted at least for the major part, sprayed by means of the atomizing member in the interior of the particle bed and onto the particles, and solidified by cooling. Pore-free and smooth coatings can be applied in this manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for layering powder onto particles has a vessel in which a rotor is mounted rotatable therein around a vertical axis. The rotor is a disc with a supporting surface for supporting particles. The apparatus also has a feeder with a substantially horizontal introducing member protruding slightly into the vessel above the disc. The introducing member limits a liquid outlet and an annular powder outlet encompassing the liquid outlet. During a layering operation, the introducing member protrudes into a bed of particles lying on the rotating disc and moved by the latter. There can then be sprayed liquid and powder simultaneously onto the particles passing in proximity of the outlets. This enables layering powder onto particles to produce thereby pellets having sizes lying in a narrow range.

Abstract: A microwave assisted fluidized bed processor, comprising a fluidized bed vessel and a microwave generating means for providing microwave energy into the fluidized bed vessel. The fluidized bed vessel defines a microwave cavity for enabling variously-oriented, reflected microwaves to be produced within the cavity. The cavity defines an electrical continuum with appropriate microwave security screening means to enable all the microwave energy to be confined within the cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for making pellets from a fluidizable material having a fluid bed chamber with a perforated base and an open upper end in which a rotatable means for shaping the pellets is located. Gas for the formation of a fluidized current is introduced through the perforated base. A fluid spray for the agglomeration and coating of the fluidizable material is introduced into the fluid bed chamber, preferably near the perforated base in the central area of the fluid bed chamber. Additionally, a device for channeling agglomerated material is preferably located at a distance above the perforated base and concentrically with the longitudinal axis of the sprayer. A fluidized current carries particles, while still plastic, upwardly through the channeling device causing them to impinge on the underside of the rotatable means.

Abstract: In a process, the humidity of at least the exhaust air is measured and used for the regulation of the product humidity of water activity during a treatment process. Therefore, it is possible to directly register the humidity taken on by the inlet air or charged onto it, and to draw a conclusion about the humidity content of the product. To register the humidity value, a measuring device with moisture testers in the inlet air channel and in the exhaust air channel is provided. Especially the moisture tester for the exhaust air is constructed as a bypass flow moisture tester in an intrinsically safe manner, so that it can be used even under ex-conditions. During drying procedures, the possible measuring of the humidity charge of the exhaust air from the drying process, the course can be exactly controlled. The moisture testers can be constructed as dew point testers, especially with capacitive measuring probes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of drying a solid wetted with a solvent or solvent mixture by causing superheated vapour of the solvent or solvent mixture as a carrier medium to flow through the material to be dried in an evaporation room, the solvent or solvent mixture evaporating and being carried along with the carrier medium, and by then causing the evaporated solvent or solvent mixture to condense from the carrier medium, if desired after compression thereof, in a cooling device. During this drying process a sub-ambient pressure is provided in the evaporation room and the temperature in the evaporation room is controlled by adjusting the sub-ambient pressure, if desired, in combination with an additional temperature controlling means. The inventiona also relates to a device for using the above method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for introducing a powdery substance to a particulate material contained within a rotary granulator. The powdery material is contained in a feeding hopper that is positioned above a nozzle that is in communication with a source of compressed air. The compressed air issues from the nozzle and draws from the supply funnel powdery material that is conveyed through a conduit that extends into the rotary granulator and is so oriented as to introduce the powdery material to the particulate material as it is being rotated. The compressed air can be introduced in the form of pulses by periodically interrupting the flow of air to thereby control the apportionment of the powdery substance.

Abstract: A device for use in fluidized bed techniques, particularly for coating tablets or the like, which comprises a container for use as a processing zone for the material to be processed, a sensor device or the like for monitoring the upper end area of the processing zone, and apparatus for moving the material through the processing zone.