Spray Drying And Cooling Of Slurry Or Suspension Patents (Class 34/372)
  • Patent number: 10870946
    Abstract: A whitening composition for fabric, in particular, unbleached cellulosic fiber-containing fabric is described. The composition includes a blue dye, a violet dye; and, optionally, a thickening agent; wherein the composition is free of bleaching agents and optical brighteners. A method of whitening a fabric using whitening compositions is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Everyone's Earth Inc.
    Inventors: Nicole M. Richards, Thomas C. Kallish
  • Patent number: 9068776
    Abstract: Methods for drying oil sand fine tailings treated to comprise flocculated fine tailings, by deposition and farming techniques, are provided. A deposition cell is provided with a sloped bottom surface and the flocculated fine tailings are deposited to undergo channelless advancement in the cell while allowing drainage of release water. When the deposit is uneven, the deposit may be plowed while wet for spreading and ensuring water release conditioning is imparted thereto, while avoiding over-shearing, and maintaining sufficient shear strength to allow standing. Once a dried upper crust forms, the deposit may be harrowed to break up the crust, expose wet regions there-beneath and create furrows in the standing deposit. The methods improve the dewatering and drying of mature fine tailings in oil sands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: SUNCOR ENERGY INC.
    Inventors: Trevor Bugg, Jamie Eastwood, Adrian Peter Revington, Marvin Harvey Weiss, Patrick Sean Wells, Thomas Charles Hann, Stephen Joseph Young, Hugues Robert O'Neill
  • Patent number: 9060937
    Abstract: A process for the production of a composition comprising a water-insoluble sartan which comprises the steps of: a) providing a mixture comprising: i) a water-insoluble sartan, ii) a water soluble carrier, iii) a solvent for each of the sartan and the carrier, and b) spray-drying the mixture to remove the or each solvent and obtain a substantially solvent-free nano-dispersion of the sartan in the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Inventors: David John Duncalf, Andrew James Elphick, Alison Jayne Foster, James Long, Steven Paul Rannard, Dong Wang
  • Patent number: 9023572
    Abstract: A method for producing resin particles, including ejecting a liquid containing at least a resin in the form of droplets from a droplet ejecting unit having a plurality of holes provided in a part of a flow channel for feeding the liquid containing at least a resin, and drying and solidifying the ejected droplets so as to obtain the resin particles, while the ejected droplets are transported by a primary transport air flow flowing in the direction in which the droplets are ejected, wherein the ejected droplets are further transported by a secondary transport air flow which transports the ejected droplets in a different direction from a direction in which the primary transport air flow flows, and wherein a smaller angle of angles formed between a velocity vector of the primary transport air flow and a velocity vector of the secondary transport air flow is less than 120 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Honda, Yohichiroh Watanabe, Yasutada Shitara, Yoshihiro Norikane
  • Patent number: 8984765
    Abstract: A process for producing dispersion powders by spray drying of aqueous polymer dispersions and addition of antiblocking agents in a rotary atomization dryer, wherein the antiblocking agent is conveyed by delivery air, wholly or partly, into an annular gap which is formed by a moulding arranged concentrically around the housing of the rotary atomizer, and which ends at a distance above the upper edge of the atomizer plate of the rotary atomizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Wacker Chemie AG
    Inventors: Michael Herbert, Jochen Ring, Stefan Killat, Bernd Gerstenberger
  • Patent number: 8966783
    Abstract: Provided are a novel vacuum-pressure spray-drying method and a novel vacuum-pressure spray-drying apparatus suitable for drying and powdering a liquid raw material containing a substance susceptible to heat denaturation, such as a food raw material and a medicine raw material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Tanabe Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Kitamura, Kazuhiko Yamazaki, Yoshitsugu Yamano
  • Patent number: 8828443
    Abstract: Conventional spray-drying methods are improved by incorporation of a pressure nozzle and a diffuser plate to improve the flow of drying gas and a drying chamber extension to increase drying time, such improvements leading to the formation of homogeneous solid dispersions of drugs in concentration-enhancing polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Bend Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Beyerinck, Heather L. M. Diebele, Dan E. Dobry, Roderick J. Ray, Dana M. Settell, Ken R. Spence
  • Publication number: 20140237847
    Abstract: A process for producing dispersion powders by means of spray drying of aqueous polymer dispersions and addition of antiblocking agents in a rotary atomization dryer, wherein the antiblocking agent is conveyed by means of delivery air, wholly or partly, into an annular gap which is formed by a moulding arranged concentrically around the housing of the rotary atomizer, and which ends at a distance above the upper edge of the atomizer plate of the rotary atomizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Wacker Chemle AG
    Inventors: Michael Herbert, Jochen Ring, Stefan Killat, Bernd Gerstenberger
  • Patent number: 8569430
    Abstract: Methods for producing spray-dried phenol-formaldehyde resole resins and products made therefrom. The method can include spray-drying an aerated liquid phenol-formaldehyde resole resin containing about 0.02 wt % or more of a surfactant, based on a combined weight of the liquid phenol-formaldehyde resole resin and the surfactant, to produce a spray-dried phenol-formaldehyde resole resin powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Chemicals LLC
    Inventors: James H. Knight, Paul S. Baxter, Robert M. Meacham, John D. Cothran
  • Patent number: 8343550
    Abstract: Conventional spray-drying methods are improved by incorporation of a pressure nozzle and a diffuser plate to improve the flow of drying gas and a drying chamber extension to increase drying time, such improvements leading to the formation of homogeneous solid dispersions of drugs in concentration-enhancing polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Bend Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Beyerinck, Heather L. M. Deibele, Dan E. Dobry, Roderick J. Ray, Dana M. Settell, Ken R. Spence
  • Patent number: 8176655
    Abstract: A vapor atmosphere spray dryer can include a closed-loop circuit having a dryer, a bag house filter system, a fan, and a heater system which are fluidly connected together for circulating a mass of superheated vapor therethrough. A centrifugal atomizer is disposed within the dryer. A feed system delivers a supply of feed slurry to the centrifugal atomizer which discharges a supply of atomized feed slurry in the dryer for combination with the circulated mass of superheated vapor within the dryer. The closed loop circuit is constructed such that the circulated mass of superheated vapor has an operating pressure of at least 1 psi which is generated by the evaporation of the fluid in the atomized feed slurry in the dryer resulting from the combination of the supply of atomized feed slurry and the circulated mass of superheated vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: SPX Flow Technology Danmark A/S
    Inventor: Stewart Gibson
  • Publication number: 20110277339
    Abstract: Conventional spray-drying methods are improved by incorporation of a pressure nozzle and a diffuser plate to improve the flow of drying gas and a drying chamber extension to increase drying time, such improvements leading to the formation of homogeneous solid dispersions of drugs in concentration-enhancing polymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Ronald A. Beyerinck, Heather L. M. Deibele, Dan E. Dobry, Roderick J. Ray, Dana M. Settell, Ken R. Spence
  • Patent number: 7988074
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the dispersion of material into a drying gas stream are disclosed. The material dispersion apparatus can have a nozzle and a venturi positioned downstream of the nozzle. The drying gas stream can be generated by pulse combustion dryer or by spray dryer and pass over at least a portion of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: J. Jireh Holdings LLC
    Inventor: David A. Mirko
  • Publication number: 20110062630
    Abstract: With regard to compositions derived from active ingredients and other additives in medical, food and industrial fields, there have been problems that the active ingredients cannot be uniformly mixed, and that the active ingredients become segregated and lose uniformity as the active ingredients undergo transport, input, and filling processes. There is provided a cellulose powder which improves the uniformity of compositions containing active ingredients or other additives to prevent segregation of the active ingredients, wherein the cellulose powder contains cellulose I type crystals, has an average particle diameter of less than 30 ?m, a powder density of 0.1 to 0.45 g/cm3, a tapping density of 0.1 to 0.5 g/cm3, a repose angle of 35 to 50°, a specific surface of more than or equal to 0.1 m2/g and less than 20 m2/g, an internal friction angle of 36 to 42°, and is a cellulose powder including a secondary flocculation structure in which primary particles are flocculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: ASAHI KASEI CHEMICALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yosuke Honda, Kazuhiro Oobae
  • Patent number: 7846372
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a candle from a vegetable oil-based candle wax that provides a smooth, solid vegetable oil-based candle having fully integrated color and fragrance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: SoyBasics, LLC
    Inventors: Donald James Njus, Jon Nicolaisen
  • Patent number: 7814679
    Abstract: An abrasive is fabricated to obtain sliding and grinding effects. In the abrasive, grinding particles are wrapped by a wrapping material. Various sizes and shapes of molds and micro components can be finely polished to obtain mirror-grade surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: National Central University
    Inventors: Biing-Hwa Yan, Feng-Che Tsai, Li-Wen Sun
  • Publication number: 20100146807
    Abstract: A vapor atmosphere spray dryer can include a closed-loop circuit having a dryer, a bag house filter system, a fan, and a heater system which are fluidly connected together for circulating a mass of superheated vapor therethrough. A centrifugal atomizer is disposed within the dryer. A feed system delivers a supply of feed slurry to the centrifugal atomizer which discharges a supply of atomized feed slurry in the dryer for combination with the circulated mass of superheated vapor within the dryer. The closed loop circuit is constructed such that the circulated mass of superheated vapor has an operating pressure of at least 1 psi which is generated by the evaporation of the fluid in the atomized feed slurry in the dryer resulting from the combination of the supply of atomized feed slurry and the circulated mass of superheated vapor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: Anhydro Inc.
    Inventor: Stewart Graham Gibson
  • Publication number: 20100101107
    Abstract: According to a method for drying fuels in the form of dust, particularly to be fed to a gasification process, such as coal, petroleum coke, biological waste, or the like, wherein the fuel (1) is crushed in a mill (2) and fed to a filter/separator (3) by means of a propellant and drying gas, and at least part of the propellant/drying gas in the circuit is returned to the mill (2) after heating, the known disadvantages are not only to be avoided, but particularly a cost-effective milling and drying method and a corresponding system are to be provided, having low emissions and a low inert gas requirement. This is achieved according to the method in that part of the propellant/drying gas flow is cooled down and dehumidified in a spray tower (6), or the like, wherein part of the dried gas exiting the spray tower is fed to the environment and/or a firing process, and the other part is returned to the propellant/drying gas flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Uhde GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Kowoll, Eberhard Kuske
  • Patent number: 7531131
    Abstract: A method using vibration for conditioning, air-conditioning, cooling and decontaminating, disinfecting and sterilizing physical media. The method includes a first vibratory action (13) performed on a regulated incoming current of the physical medium (2) so that the flow of the physical medium (2) is formed and the necessary and adequate conditions for cooling are created; a refrigerating medium (3) and a cold-absorbing medium (6) interact in a heat exchanging system (1); and another vibratory action (10) is performed on a cold-absorbing medium in order that the physical medium is continuously and/or periodically decontaminated and the necessary and adequate conditions for the functioning of the decontamination system in its steady state are created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Inventors: Danil Doubochinski, Roman Prytkov
  • Patent number: 7523563
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a granular hydrohalide salt of a particular metal complex compound which is composed of a divalent metal cation as central ion and of an amino dicarboxylic acid ion and, where appropriate, water as ligand, where the hydrohalide salt is obtained with a specific particle size distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Verla-Pharm Arzneimittelfabrik Apotheker H.J.v. Ehrlich GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Guenter Hopf
  • Patent number: 7469488
    Abstract: Spray dried particles having specified aerodynamic characteristics are produced by atomizing a liquid feed and contacting the liquid feed with a drying gas, such as, for example, air or nitrogen. The humidity of the drying gas is controlled to a value, expressed, for instance, as dew point, which is known to produce particles having a specified tap density or aerodynamic diameter. Particles having a volume median geometric diameter greater than about 5 microns and a tap density less than about 0.4 g/cm3 are preferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignees: Alkermes, Inc., The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Donghao Chen, Richard P. Batycky, Lloyd Johnston, Jeffrey Mintzes
  • Patent number: 7181862
    Abstract: Glassy articles are prepared by subjecting to hydrolysis and policondensation a solution or suspension of a suitable precursor, mainly comprising a silicon alkoxide, and by drying the obtained gel in a pressure chamber, the gel solvent having been substituted by a non-protic solvent, mainly acetone, under nitrogen flowing, at temperature and pressure conditions lower than the gel solvent critical values. The dried gel is then densified by a thermal treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Degussa Novara Technology, S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giulio Boara, Massimo Sparpaglione, Lorenzo Costa
  • Patent number: 7144931
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing polymer particles capable of increasing the easiness of handling of powder when the powder is collected and preventing the powder from adhering to the wall surface of a dryer and the outlet of the dryer from being clogged with the powder by suppressing the occurrence of ruptured particles to reduce the produced amount of the fine powder when polymer particles are produced by spraying and drying polymer latex, characterized in that, when the polymer latex having a minimum film forming temperature of 50° C. or higher is sprayed and dried with heating gas for drying in the dryer, the temperature of the heating gas for drying at the dryer outlet is less than the temperature obtained by adding 15° C. to the minimum film forming temperature of the polymer latex, the wet-bulb temperature thereof at the dryer outlet is higher than the temperature obtained by deducing 30° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Omote, Akihiro Toritani, Daisuke Shiramizu, Hiroyuki Iyota
  • Patent number: 7118764
    Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a process for preparing pregelatinized high amylose starch, comprising the steps consisting of: forming a suspension comprising a high amylose starch and water; subjecting the said suspension to steam jet cooking at a temperature of between 125 and 135° C. so as to obtain a pregelatinized high amylose starch paste; cooking and drying the said pregelatinized starch paste on a drum dryer at a pressure of between 2 and 10 bar, so as to obtain a pregelatinized high amylose starch. Its subject is also a pregelatinized high amylose starch, having an apparent density of less than 0.4 g/ml for a mean particle size of 100 micrometers. Its subject is in addition the use of such a starch for the manufacture of soft gelatin capsules or of hard gelatin capsules and the film-coating of pharmaceutical, dietary or agricultural solid forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Roquette Freres
    Inventors: Domenico Carbone, Claude Quettier, Giovanni Semino, Ernesto Fossati
  • Patent number: 6973741
    Abstract: Conventional spray-drying methods are improved by incorporation of a pressure nozzle and a diffuser plate to improve the flow of drying gas and a drying chamber extension to increase drying time, such improvements leading to the formation of homogeneous solid dispersions of drugs in concentration-enhancing polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Pfizer, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Beyerinck, Heather L. M. Diebele, Dan E. Dobry, Roderick J. Ray, Dana M. Settell, Ken R. Spence
  • Patent number: 6870071
    Abstract: Processes for preparing alkali metal alkoxide granules and alkaline earth metal alkoxide granules of aliphatic, saturated or unsaturated, unbranched or branched alcohols, preferably having 1 to 12, in particular 1 to 6, carbon atoms. A preferred process for preparing the alkoxides utilizes fluidized-bed spray granulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Degussa AG
    Inventors: Joachim Luethi, Stefan Schulze, Christian Alt, Andreas Goelz, Andreas Harthun
  • Patent number: 6848197
    Abstract: Spray dried particles having specified aerodynamic characteristics are produced by atomizing a liquid feed and contacting the liquid feed with a drying gas, such as, for example, air or nitrogen. The humidity of the drying gas is controlled to a value, expressed, for instance, as dew point, which is known to produce particles having a specified tap density or aerodynamic diameter. Particles having a volume median geometric diameter greater than about 5 microns and a tap density less than about 0.4 g/cm3 are preferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignees: Advanced Inhalation Research, Inc., The Penn State Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Donghao Chen, Richard P. Batycky, Lloyd Johnston, Jeffrey Mintzes
  • Patent number: 6845571
    Abstract: The invention can relate to a fluidized bed apparatus with an integrated spray-drying device and to a method for using the same. The invention also can relate to a method for producing a spray-dried powder material, whose product characteristics can be specifically adapted according to the ulterior use of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Eugen Schwarz, Gernot Moeschl, Hanspeter Ruetzler, Jean-Marc Dutter
  • Patent number: 6829843
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing vinylpyrrolidone polymer powder, which has high bulk density and favorable powder flowability and can be handled with ease. Specifically, the present invention relates to a process for preparing vinylpyrrolidone polymer powder, which comprises spraying an aqueous solution of a vinylpyrrolidone polymer into a drying tower using a disc atomizer and then drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Dai-Ichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiichi Fujise
  • Patent number: 6769200
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the spray drying of solvent-containing compositions. A liquid or paste-form solvent-containing composition is heated to a temperature above the boiling point of the solvent, transported under excess pressure and at a temperature above the boiling point of the solvent to a relaxation space where it is sprayed to evaporate the solvent. The relaxation space is not under excess pressure and is at a temperature that is above the boiling point of the solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien
    Inventors: Wilfried Raehse, Ovidiu Dicoi, Peter Walzel
  • Patent number: 6763607
    Abstract: Conventional spray-drying methods are improved by incorporation of a pressure nozzle and a diffuser plate to improve the flow of drying gas and a drying chamber extension to increase drying time, such improvements leading to the formation of homogeneous solid dispersions of drugs in concentration-enhancing polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Pfizer Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Beyerinck, Heather L. M. Deibele, Dan E. Dobry, Roderick J. Ray, Dana M. Settell, Ken R. Spence
  • Patent number: 6754979
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) is proposed for drying and heat-treating pellets with a stream of inert gas, wherein the apparatus has a cuboid base unit (2) with a feed (3) for the pellets in its upper part and an outlet (4) in its lower part, with a feed (5) on one lateral surface and with an exhaust base (6) on the opposite lateral surface of the cuboid base unit (2) for the stream of inert gas, and also with distribution and retention equipment (7, 8) in the region of the feed (5) and, respectively, of the exhaust (6) for the stream of inert gas, where each of these extends essentially over the entire vertical cross section of the cuboid base unit (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alfons Ludwig, Ragnhild Pille, Gunter Pipper
  • Patent number: 6711831
    Abstract: In a compact combined spray drying and after-treatment apparatus having internal gas filters and an internal fluidized bed in the drying chamber and a fluidized bed in the after-treatment zone, pipe means are used for conducting a stream of particle-loaded gas formed in the after-treatment zone to suitable locations in the drying chamber without disturbing the normal operation of the drying chamber and the fluidized bed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Niro A/S
    Inventors: Ove Emil Hansen, Jens Mourits Sørensen, Martin Andreas Grønlund Scholten, Eric Franzen
  • Patent number: 6712215
    Abstract: A method of solvent recovery from oil sand extraction plant tailings, using 180 degree opposing steam-assisted accelerating nozzles, impacting on each other's high velocity jets, thus creating an impact area at the point of collision, creating an exceedingly large number of small droplets having a very large surface area exposed to the depressurized environment inside the vessel in which the nozzles are mounted. The diluent thus escaping from the tiny droplets is collected from the vessel space and recovered by condensation in a surface condensor and returned to the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventor: Adolf Frederik Scheybeler
  • Patent number: 6649267
    Abstract: A thermosetting powder coating composition has an average particle diameter of entire particles is within a range from 5 to 50 &mgr;m, an average circularity of the particles is 0.90 or more, and a circularity of particles having a maximum number frequency in circularity distribution is within a range from 0.98 to 1.00, prepared by spray-drying an organic solvent solution containing, as a coating film forming component, an epoxy group-containing vinyl copolymer (A) having a glass transition temperature of 40° C. or higher, an epoxy group-containing vinyl copolymer (B) having a glass transition temperature of 0° C. or lower and a polycarboxylic acid (C) as an essential component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignees: Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc., Liquid Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuro Agawa, Katsuhiko Okada, Hiroo Tanaka, Masaya Hashimoto, Takaaki Asakura
  • Publication number: 20030200672
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing a high-lactose aqueous fluid (HLAF), such as permeate from ultrafiltration of whey fluid, are described. The preferred process includes concentrating HLAF containing from about 1 to about 35% solids, wherein at least 50% of the solids are lactose, to form a concentrated HLAF containing from about 45 to about 65% solids; further concentrating the HLAF to form a highly concentrated HLAF containing from about 70 to about 80% solids; cooling the highly concentrated HLAF with a gaseous fluid to create a cooling, concentrating, crystallizing cascade to further concentrate the HLAF to form a partially crystallized HLAF containing from about 78 to about 88% solids; and drying the partially crystallized HLAF in an air-lift dryer to form a product rich in crystalline alpha-lactose monohydrate. An air-lift dryer having diverging sidewalls and methods of using same are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventor: A. Kent Keller
  • Publication number: 20030163931
    Abstract: Conventional spray-drying methods are improved by incorporation of a pressure nozzle and a diffuser plate to improve the flow of drying gas and a drying chamber extension to increase drying time, such improvements leading to the formation of homogeneous solid dispersions of drugs in concentration-enhancing polymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventors: Ronald A. Beyerinck, Heather L.M. Deibele, Dan E. Dobry, Roderick J. Ray, Dana M. Settell, Ken R. Spence
  • Publication number: 20030088994
    Abstract: Processes for preparing alkali metal alkoxide granules and alkaline earth metal alkoxide granules of aliphatic, saturated or unsaturated, unbranched or branched alcohols having 1 to 12, in particular 1 to 6, carbon atoms. A preferred process for preparing the alkoxides utilizes fluidized-bed spray granulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: Degussa AG
    Inventors: Joachim Luethi, Stefan Schulze, Christian Alt, Andreas Goelz, Andreas Harthun
  • Patent number: 6560897
    Abstract: Improved spray drying apparati, and methods of use thereof, have been developed. The spray drying equipment includes a primary drying chamber and a secondary drying apparatus which includes tubing having a length sufficient to increase the contact time between the drying gas and the droplets/particles to dry the particles to the extent desired, at a drying rate and temperature which would be too low to provide adequate drying without the secondary drying apparatus. The secondary drying apparatus increases the drying efficiency of the spray dryer system without increasing the drying rate, while minimizing loss in yield. Te secondary drying apparatus can include multiple secondary apparati, which are independently controlled for temperature and/or have different dimensions (cross-sectional areas and/or lengths), to allow for optimization of drying conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Acusphere, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Chickering, III, Mark J. Keegan, Greg Randall, Howard Bernstein, Julie Straub
  • Patent number: 6463675
    Abstract: In a spray drying process utilizing a spray dryer having internal gas filters and an internal fluidized bed and comprising an after-treatment of the product in a separate unit outside the spray drying chamber, which treatment produces a particle-loaded gas stream, said particle-loaded gas stream is conducted from the separate unit to the spray drying chamber. The stream passes, together with the spent drying gas in the drying chamber, the filters integrated in said chamber. Several plant modifications are suggested for performing the process which involves substantial savings by making external particle collectors superfluous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Niro A/S
    Inventors: Ove Emil Hansen, Jens Mourits Sørensen, Martin Andreas Grønlund Scholten
  • Publication number: 20020056206
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel spray drying process for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions containing small particles of phospholipid-stabilized fenofibrate. This invention also relates to spray dried powdered compositions prepared according to this process, and to dosage forms of fenofibrate (capsules, tablets, powders, granules, and dispersions) prepared from these powdered compositions. The powdered compositions and dosage forms are useful in the treatment of dyslipidemia and dyslipoproteinemia and have the advantage that they provide reduced in vivo variability in the bioavailability of fenofibrate active species among fed and fasted patients when administered orally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventors: Gary W. Pace, Awadesh K. Mishra, Robert A. Snow, Indu Parikh, Pol-Henri W. Guivarc'h
  • Patent number: 6328099
    Abstract: Free-flowing solid particles are dried in a moving bed dryer by passing the particles adjacent to a heat exchanger plate containing a heated fluid while passing a dehumidified gas into the solid particles from a gas flow manifold in the heat exchanger plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Mississippi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: George Allen Hilt, Donald Ray Thomas
  • Patent number: 6308434
    Abstract: Improved spray drying methods of have been developed. The spray drying method includes use of a primary drying chamber and a secondary drying apparatus which includes tubing having a length sufficient to increase the contact time between the drying gas and the droplets/particles to dry the particles to the extent desired, at a drying rate and temperature which would be too low to provide adequate drying without the secondary drying apparatus. The secondary drying apparatus increases the drying efficiency of the spray dryer system without increasing the drying rate, while minimizing loss in yield. The ratio of the length of tubing to the length of the primary drying chamber is at least 2:1. The tubing diameter is substantially smaller than the diameter of the primary drying chamber, such that the particles move at higher velocity through the tubing to minimize product losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Acusphere, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Chickering, III, Mark J. Keegan, Greg Randall, Howard Bernstein, Julie Straub
  • Patent number: 6237247
    Abstract: A spray dryer apparatus and method suitable for the production of detergents, cleaners and components thereof wherein the inner wall of the drying chamber is provided with an air-permeable textile material lining at a distance from the inner wall, and at least one outlet for compressed gas is provided between the inner wall and the textile material lining whereby adherence of sticky deposits on the inner wall of the drying chamber is avoided or reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien
    Inventor: Jan Van Den Meersche
  • Patent number: 6023855
    Abstract: The invention provides an air-assisted wiping device for use in a continuous-spray dryer. The air-assisted wiping device rotates inside the housing to continuously wipe heavy sticky powder from the walls of the housing using a wiper blade. The air-assisted wiping device includes an elongated hollow plenum having a flow-directing slot disposed along its length. Air received into the elongated hollow plenum is passed through the flow-directing slot onto a wiper blade, which is coupled to the elongated hollow plenum. The air discharged onto the wiper blade removes powder that collects on the leading side of the wiper blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Neil M. Goldberg, Charles I. Onwulata, Philip Wayne Smith, Greg Tomes
  • Patent number: 5996247
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for condensing moisture from an air stream. The condensing comprises an outer container, a middle container within the outer container, and an inner container within the middle container. The outer container contains a cooling material, such as water, and upon contact therewith, the air stream is cooled and moisture contained therein is condensed. The inner container also can contain a cooling material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Big Beans Holding Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuyoshi Kuboyama
  • Patent number: 5849862
    Abstract: Processes for spray drying water-soluble and water-swellable vinyl-addition polymer-containing dispersions, emulsions and microemulsions to obtain substantially dry water-soluble or water-swellable polymer particles, compositions of substantially dry water-soluble or water-swellable polymer particles, methods of agglomerating spray-dried polymer particles, and methods of using spray-dried polymer particles and agglomerates in water-treating, mining, paper, food processing, soil conditioning, solution thickening, biotechnological, and oil recovery applications are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Cytec Technology Corp.
    Inventors: William Bloor Davies, John Edward Healy, Gary Kaui Lani Miller, Joseph J. Kozakiewicz
  • Patent number: 5700471
    Abstract: Process for the production of fine-particle, essentially amorphous dye or drug preparations by converting a relatively coarse-particle dispersion or a solution into a colloidal dispersion in water, where the colloidal dispersion is generated at a temperature above the melting point of the dye or drug by admixing appropriately hot water (where appropriate under pressure) or an aqueous protective colloid solution so that an emulsion of a melt in aqueous medium is produced and is immediately spray-dried or converted by cooling into a suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Lutz End, Dieter Horn, Erik Lueddecke
  • Patent number: 5695614
    Abstract: A method for processing waste liquids, having high solids content. The process includes the steps of spraying and evaporating the waste liquid together with a dry gas in a counterflow of dry gas within a spray tower, collecting the solids of the waste water in a lower section of the spray tower, discharging the moist gas from an upper section of the spray tower, and bringing the moist gas in heat exchange with an evaporator of a refrigerating means to condensed the liquid from the evaporator. The cooled dry gas is directed in heat exchange with the condenser of said refrigerating means and heated to be returned in a closed loop to repeat the cycle of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Winter Umwelttechinik GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Hording, Claus Hellmann
  • Patent number: 5685089
    Abstract: A process for spray drying of ceramic suspensions for the production of a powder which is dust free, sufficiently stable for storage and with good flow characteristics. The ceramic suspension is spray dried in a chamber (1) to a powder with a water content which is 0.1-10% higher than required in the final powder and hereafter fluidized in a fluid bed (6) with ambient air for an evaporative cooling process, whereby the water content is reduced to the required value at the same time as the powder is cooled. The produced powder has a high water content without tendency to lumping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: APV Anhydro AS
    Inventors: Jens Getler, Stuart Gibson, S.o slashed.ren Fredsted, Per Nielsen