Abstract: The invention relates to processing particulates and apparatus therefor. More specifically, the invention is directed to processes and apparatus for separating particulates. According to various aspects of the invention, particulate separation processes and apparatus are provided comprising flowing a particulate over a foraminous wall and through a sieve.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of manufacturing polymer particles. The method includes providing an oil in water emulsion, wherein the oil phase comprises a volatile solvent and at least one water insoluble polymer. The volatile solvent has a solubility of not more than 10% in water and the water insoluble polymer has a weight average molecular weight of at least 2000. The water insoluble polymer is soluble in the volatile solvent. The emulsion is supplied to a rotating surface of a rotating surface reactor. The temperature of the rotating surface is maintained at the boiling point of said solvent or greater. The rotating surface of the reactor spins at a speed sufficient to cause the emulsion to spread over the rotating surface as a continuously flowing thin film wherein a vapor phase containing the volatile solvent is removed. The water insoluble polymer particles are then collected as a slurry of polymer particles and water.