Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane-spinning nozzle that spins a hollow fiber membrane having a porous membrane layer and a support is provided in which the nozzle includes a resin flow channel through which a membrane-forming resin solution forming the porous membrane layer flows, the resin flow channel includes a liquid storage section that stores the membrane-forming resin solution and a shaping section that shapes the membrane-forming resin solution in a cylindrical shape and satisfies at least one of conditions (a) to (c): (a) the resin flow channel is disposed to cause the membrane-forming resin solution to branch and merge; (b) a delay means for delaying the flow of the membrane-forming resin solution is disposed in the resin flow channel; and (c) the liquid storage section or the shaping section includes branching and merging means for the membrane-forming resin solution therein.

Abstract: A spinneret bundle for producing fibers from a polymer melt includes an elongated nozzle plate that has a feed channel on an upper face and at least one row of nozzle bores that are arranged next to one another on a lower face. A distributing plate lies on the upper face of the nozzle plate and has a distributing chamber that faces the feed channel and a melt inlet that is connected to the distributing chamber. A perforated plate with a plurality of through-bores is provided between the distributing chamber of the distributing plate and the feed channel of the nozzle plate in order to achieve a redistribution and uniformity of the melt when the melt is introduced into the feed channel.

Abstract: A method of preparing a toner, including periodically dripping and discharging droplets of a toner constituent liquid comprising a resin and a colorant with a dripper comprising a thin film comprising plural nozzles configured to discharge the droplets, and an electromechanical converter configured to oscillate the thin film; and solidifying the droplets to form toner particles, wherein the nozzle has an aperture discharging the droplet, having a circular or an ellipsoidal cross-sectional shape and cross-sectional area smaller than a cross-sectional area of another aperture contacting the toner constituent liquid.

Abstract: To provide an apparatus for producing a toner, including: a droplet forming unit configured to periodically discharge a toner composition liquid, which includes at least a resin and a colorant, from a plurality of nozzles so as to form droplets; a gas flow forming unit configured to form a gas flow which passes through a narrowed portion that corresponds to a nozzle formation area and that is placed on a downstream side of the nozzles with respect to a droplet discharge direction, and which advances in the droplet discharge direction; and a particle forming unit configured to form toner particles by solidifying the droplets of the toner composition liquid passed through the narrowed portion and then discharged, wherein the opening area of an opening which forms the narrowed portion decreases from an inlet side of the narrowed portion toward an outlet side of the narrowed portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for the direct production of polyester granulate from a highly viscous polyester melt with a polymerization degree of 132 to 165, as well as the granulates formed thereform. In the method, the highly viscous polyester melt is subjected to a pre-drying and drying/degassing after a hot cutting method. Hot cutting is implemented at water temperatures of 70° C. to 95° C. and with a liquid to solid ratio of 8 to 12:1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of micro-particles of polysaccharides. The method includes preparing a feeding solution and a gelifying liquid to collect nebulized jets of the feeding solution. The feeding solution contains at least one polymer capable of forming micro-particle structures and at least one biologically active substance. The feeding solution is pressurized inside an air-less nebulizing unit and then nebulized through the unit itself so as to generate nebulized jets impacting the surface of the gelifying liquid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for prilling are provided which include dynamically controlling the pressure at the prill head for increased control over prill quality and size distribution. In one embodiment, the pressure of a headspace above a volume of liquid or slurry is regulated to maintain a more precise control of the pressure of the liquid or slurry at the prill head. In another embodiment, an axial upflow device is used to maintain a more precise control of the pressure of the liquid or slurry at the prill head.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing titanium metal powder from a melt. The apparatus includes an atomization chamber having an inner wall that is coated with or formed entirely of CP-Ti to prevent contamination of titanium metal powder therein. The inner surfaces of all components of the apparatus in a flow path following the atomization chamber may also be coated with or formed entirely of CP-Ti.

Abstract: A microchannel structure including a dispersed-phase introduction channel which communicates with a dispersed-phase introduction inlet; a continuous-phase introduction channel which communicates with a continuous-phase introduction inlet; a discharge channel which communicates with a discharge outlet; a fine-particle formation channel; and a plurality of branch channels for dispersed-phase introduction which are microchannels; wherein one end of the fine-particle formation channel in a fluid traveling direction communicates with the continuous-phase introduction channel whereas the other end thereof communicates with the discharge channel; and wherein a side part of the dispersed-phase introduction channel and side part of the fine-particle formation channel communicate via the plurality of branch channel for dispersed-phase introduction.

Abstract: Nano-scale particles of materials can be produced by vaporizing material and allowing the material to flow in a non-violently turbulent manner into thermal communication with a cooling fluid, thereby forming small particles of the material that can be in the nano-scale size range. A raw material feeder can be configured to feed raw material toward a heater which vaporizes the raw material. The feeder can include a metering device for controlling the flow of raw material toward the heater. A gas source can also be used to cause gas to flow through a portion of the raw material feeder along with the raw material.

Abstract: A toner manufacturing method, a toner manufacturing apparatus, and a toner are disclosed. The toner manufacturing apparatus includes a droplet generating unit that includes a thin film in which plural nozzles are formed, and an annular vibrating unit that is arranged at a perimeter of a deformable domain of the thin film for vibrating the thin film; a storage unit for storing a toner-containing liquid that includes at least a resin and a colorant, and for supplying the toner-containing liquid 10 to the droplet generating unit; and a granulating unit for solidifying droplets that are periodically breathed out from the nozzles of the droplet generating unit to form toner particles.

Abstract: A structure of aligned (e.g., radially and/or polygonally aligned) fibers, and systems and methods for producing and using the same. One or more structures provided may be created using an apparatus that includes one or more first electrodes that define an area and/or partially circumscribe an area. For example, a single first electrode may enclose the area, or a plurality of first electrode(s) may be positioned on at least a portion of the perimeter of the area. A second electrode is positioned within the area. Electrodes with rounded (e.g., convex) surfaces may be arranged in an array, and a fibrous structure created using such electrodes may include an array of wells at positions corresponding to the positions of the electrodes.

Abstract: A nanofiber manufacturing apparatus for fabricating nanofibers from a raw material liquid by electrostatic explosions includes a housing internally having an electrospinning space in which nanofibers are fabricated, and a support structure for supporting an electrospinning head including nozzles for ejecting the raw material liquid into the electrospinning space. The support structure is fittable to and removable from the housing and is enabled to self-stand in a state of having been removed from the housing.

Abstract: Nanofibers are manufactured while preventing explosions from occurring due to solvent evaporation. An effusing unit (201) which effuses solution (300) into a space, a first charging unit (202) which electrically charges the solution (300) by applying an electric charge to the solution (300), a guiding unit (206) which forms an air channel for guiding the manufactured nanofibers (301), a gas flow generating unit (203) which generates, inside the guiding unit (206), gas flow for transporting the nanofibers, a diffusing unit (240) which diffusing the nanofibers (301) guided by the guiding unit (206), a collecting apparatus which electrically attracts and collects the nanofibers (301), and a drawing unit (102) which draws the gas flow together with the evaporated component evaporated from the solution (300) are included.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for fabricating an antimicrobial hybrid material of a natural antimicrobial particle and a carbon nanomaterial, capable of fully utilizing the antimicrobial property of a natural antimicrobial material and a carbon nanomaterial by maximizing adsorption of the natural antimicrobial material on the carbon nanomaterial.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for generating particles are provided. The method may be a method for generating particles from a flowable medium, the method involving forming drops from the flowable medium, arranging the drops on a particle forming surface and solidifying the drops, thereby forming the particles. The apparatus may be an apparatus for generating particles from a flowable medium with a drop generator and a particle forming surface, the drop generator being formed to arrange drops on the particle forming surface and the particle forming surface may be adapted to contact the drops when the particles are being formed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a micro particle for a thermal control material capable of being applied as a highly thermal conductive material for thermal control, and an apparatus and a method of producing the micro particle for the thermal control material by using an ultrasonic high-temperature vibration scheme. More specifically, a Boron Nitride (BN) particle having a plate shape and an excellent thermal conductivity is coated on a PCM having a shape of a micro bead, to increase the thermal conduction to the inside PCM, so that a phase change is easily generated, and which allows an easy treatment of the PCM in a liquid state at a temperature equal to or higher than a melting point of the PCM.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for converting molten sulfur to powder sulfur by gas cooling of atomized sprays of molten sulfur. Certain embodiments contemplate a vertical tower that allows molten sulfur to produce an atomized spray or mist of molten sulfur descending from the top of the vertical tower. Gas introduced to the bottom of the vertical tower flows upward intimately interfacing with the descending atomized molten sulfur spray. The molten sulfur in the form of an atomized sulfur spray is cooled by the gas to form a sulfur powder. In certain embodiments, the sulfur powder formed is sufficiently small to be suitable for combination with a base fluid for producing a slurry for convenient transport of the sulfur particulates. Advantages of certain embodiments include higher efficiencies, lower cost, and production of much smaller solid sulfur average particulate sizes, which in turn allows for easier sulfur transport.

Abstract: The present invention makes it possible to stably obtain uniform droplets and embolus particles in large quantities. Disclosed is a device for droplet formation which includes: a dispersed-phase outlet through which a dispersed-phase material, e.g., an aqueous gelatin solution, is discharged; continuous-phase outlets through which a continuous-phase material, e.g., an oil, is discharged; a confluence part which communicates with the dispersed-phase outlet and the continuous-phase outlets and in which the dispersed-phase material is caused to flow into the liquid of the continuous-phase material at a given constant static pressure; and a droplet formation part which has been disposed on the downstream side of the confluence part and in which the dispersed-phase material is allowed to become droplets by means of cohesive force.

Abstract: Sulfur (or sulphur) spray nozzles disposed with a tank spray liquid molten sulfur into the cooling liquid in the tank. Solid sulfur seeds are formed in the cooling liquid and settle in the tank. The tank may be a spiral dewaterer tank that has a screw conveyor at the bottom of the tank that moves the seeds to a granulating drum for enlargement into sulfur granules. The tank may also be used to capture and remove sulfur dust from a slurry of sulfur dust and water recycled from the granulating drum. The sulfur dust in the cooling tank may be captured by contact with molten sulfur droplets streaming down the cooling liquid column such that the dust particles become incorporated into the droplet, thereby being converted to seed. The granulating drum may be equipped with two or more sets of segmented lifting flights. The sets of flights may not be in alignment. The flights may be spaced apart from the inside surface of the drum with segmented rib members.

Abstract: Sulfur seeds may be produced by spraying liquid molten sulfur from a sulfur spray nozzle into a moving stream of liquid. Some of the sulfur may pass through the liquid and some of the sulfur may be entrained in and transported by the stream of liquid, or all of the sulfur may be entrained in the stream of liquid. The sulfur droplets that are entrained in the stream of liquid may be carried by the liquid to a cooling tank, which may be a spiral dewaterer tank with an angled bottom and a screw conveyor. An opening may be made in the bottom surface of the screw conveyor housing of the spiral dewaterer tank for liquid to drain from the screw conveyor as it moves sulfur seeds from the tank to a the drum. A screen may be disposed across the opening, and a drain trough attached to the screw conveyor housing to capture any liquid and solids that move through the screen. A wash line may assist in moving solids that pass through the screen.

Abstract: A nanofiber production device produces nanofibers by stretching, in a space, a solution. The nanofiber production device includes: an effusing body which effuses the solution into the space by centrifugal force; a driving source which rotates the effusing body; a supplying electrode which is placed at a predetermined distance from the effusing body and supplies charge to the solution via the effusing body; a charging electrode to which a potential of reverse polarity to a polarity of the effusing body is applied, with the charging electrode being placed at a predetermined distance from the effusing body; and a charging power source which applies a predetermined voltage between the supplying electrode and the charging electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of particles of a substance by dynamic precipitation of the substance from a fluid solution containing the substance dissolved in a fluid solvent. The apparatus is characterized by comprising A) a first main flow line FL1 (1) intended for a first pressurized fluid F1 and encompassing in its downstream part (dFL1) (38) one, or more dFL1 sub-lines (1a,b,c), where a) every dFL1 subline • comprises one or two serially linked flow-through dispensers for F1 (5a,b,c. and 6a, b, c) and • is functionally equal to the other dFL1 sublines, and b) each of the dispensers • has an inlet (7a,b,c. and 8a,b,c, respectively) and an outlet (9a,b,c. and 1 Oa,b,c . . . , respectively) for flow, and • is functionally equal with the corresponding dispensers in the other dFL1 sublines, and B) a particle formation arrangement (4) comprising a) one or more flow-through particle formation chambers (3a,b,c . . . ), and b) the downstream dispensers (5a,b,c.) of said one or two dispensers (5a,b,c . . .

Abstract: An apparatus and method for electrically charging nanoparticles. The invention including atomizing one or more liquid starting materials into droplets, electrically charging the droplets during or after the atomization and vaporizing the one or more liquid materials of the droplets for generating the nanoparticles from the liquid droplets such that the electrical charge of the droplets is transferred into the nanoparticles for producing electrically charged nanoparticles.

Abstract: A particulate production apparatus, including a droplet discharger to discharge a liquid including a particulate element which is solidified to become a particulate; and a pressure controller to feed the liquid including a particulate element to the droplet discharger at a pressure within a desired range.

Abstract: A device and a method for producing pellets from a melt, having a perforated plate with melt nozzles located therein from which nozzles the melt emerges. The perforated plate is located opposite a cutter arrangement with a cutter head with at least one blade, and a cutter shaft driven by a motor so that the at least one blade passes over the melt nozzles in the perforated plate in a rotating manner and in doing so severs pellets of the melt material emerging there. The cutter shaft is at least axially displaceable relative to a process chamber housing by means of at least one adjustable bearing. The position of the at least one blade can be determined and adjusted using a position sensing and adjusting device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing nanocrystalline compositions using focused acoustic processing to cause and/or enhance crystal growth. A flow through system may be employed to expose sample material having a volume of greater or less than 30 mL to focused acoustic energy while flowing through a process chamber at a rate of at least 0.1 mL/min. Sample material may be processed by a suitable focused acoustic field in a cyclic fashion and/or with adjustment of processing parameters based on monitored characteristics of the sample, such as level of crystallinity. Nanocrystalline particles within the sample may have a tight particle size distribution with an average particle size between 10 nm and 1 micron. Stable nanocrystalline compositions may be reproducibly prepared using focused acoustics to have controllable morphologies and dimensions.

Abstract: A facility that is especially suited for the freezing of juices and similar products, which includes a cooling tank that supplies the product by means of an impelling pump to a freezing chamber that receives a supply of a liquefied gas at a temperature of around ?140° C., preferably nitrogen, and pressurized air through an electro-valve to transform the juice into micro-drops or pellets and to freeze the droplets or the pellets inside the freezing chamber, which then exit the chamber through one or more dispensing valves, said freezing not affecting the original characteristics of the juice, in terms of its vitamin, protein and enzyme content.

Abstract: A method for producing tables made of mixtures of a plurality of materials, and a method for producing a sulfurous fertilizer. A method for producing tablets made of mixtures of a plurality of materials, particularly urea mixtures, having the following steps:—producing a liquid melt of a first material,—adding at least one further material in solid or liquid form to the melt for producing a mixture,—output of drops of the mixture onto a steel belt by means of a drop former having a rotating, perforated outer drum,—solidification of the drops of the mixture on the steel belt into tablets, wherein the at least one additional material is mixed into the liquid melt in liquid form immediately before the drop former or into the liquid melt in solid. form upstream of a two-stage heated grinding and mixing unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing metastable nanostructured materials employing a ceramic shroud surrounding a plasma flame having a steady state reaction zone into which an aerosol or liquid jet of solution precursor or powder material is fed, causing the material to be pyrolyzed, melted, or vaporized, followed by quenching to form a metastable nanosized powder that has an amorphous (short-range ordered), or metastable microsized powder that has a crystalline (long-range ordered) structure, respectively.

Abstract: Prill heads having prilling assemblies that include adjustable openings. Prilling methods using the prilling assemblies can allow for the size of the openings to be varied during processing to alter the size of the prills as desired, or for clogged openings to be cleared, while maintaining operation of the prilling process. The prilling assemblies and prilling methods can be used to produce fertilizer products, including fertilizers comprising ammonium sulfate nitrate.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods and tools for preparing a population of monodisperse polymer microparticles, which are of particular interest in the field of drug delivery.

Abstract: A continuous process wherein a material is melt processed and subsequently pelletized, transported, optionally chemically and/or physically modified, and subsequently optionally defluidized utilizing fluidic processing. The transport fluids and fluid combinations utilize a wide range of process temperatures facilitating enhancement of conditioning, improvement of moisture content, pelletization of hygroscopic, water-sensitive, and water-soluble materials, pelletization of non-polymeric and rheologically non-shear sensitive and marginally shear-sensitive polymeric materials, modification of pellet components through extraction, pelletization of low melting materials, tacky materials, pellet coating, and pellet impregnation otherwise difficult and challenging using conventional technologies.

Abstract: Capsules and particles with at least one encapsulated and/or entrapped agent, such as therapeutic agent, imaging agents, and other constituents may be produced by electrohydrodynamic processes. More particularly, the agent encapsulated in a vehicle, capsule, particle, vector, or carrier may maximize treatment and/or imaging of malignant cancers while minimizing the adverse effects of treatment and/or imaging.

Abstract: Relatively uniform spherical shaped solid pellets (prills) may be created by passing molten sulfur through a nested strainer to remove particles that would otherwise become trapped in the system, a drip tray with a heating channel attached on its underside, an injection conduit for delivery of a cooled zone of water to create solid prills, and thereafter moving the prills through a stationary curved screen to remove most of the excess water and a vibrating screen.

Abstract: A burner for production of inorganic spheroidized particles according to the present invention includes a first raw material supply path (1A) through which a raw material powder is supplied together with a carrier gas; a fuel supply path (4A) disposed around the outer circumference of the first raw material supply path (1A), through which a fuel gas is supplied; a primary oxygen supply path (5A) disposed around the outer circumference of the fuel supply path (4A), through which an oxygen-containing gas is supplied; a second raw material supply path (6A) disposed around the outer circumference of the primary oxygen supply path (5A), through which a raw material powder is supplied together with a carrier gas; and a secondary oxygen supply path (7A) disposed around the outer circumference of the second raw material supply path (6A), through which an oxygen-containing gas is supplied.

Abstract: The current invention relates to methods of making nano-particles of a material with a narrow polydispersity. The particle materials are active agents, organic compounds, polymers, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A particle producing method is provided including bringing a material into contact with a compressible fluid to prepare a melt of the material, and discharging the melt from a vibrated through hole to form particles of the melt. A particle producing apparatus is also provided including a discharger to discharge the melt. The discharger includes a storage to store the melt, at least one through hole disposed on the storage, and a vibrator to vibrate the through hole. The particle producing apparatus further includes a particle forming member defining a space within which the discharged melt is formed into particles and a pressure controller controlling a pressure difference between the space and an inside of the storage so that the discharged melt is formed into a columnar melt and the columnar melt is constricted and separated into particles.

Abstract: A drop pelletizing device and method for producing pellets from a low-viscosity plastic melt are provided. The drop pelletizing device can include a die plate with holes, in which the plastic melt can be subjected to a harmonic pressure oscillation such that the plastic melt emerging from the holes forms individual pellet droplets, a pressure vessel, in which prevails an overpressure above the ambient pressure, a discharge device adapted to discharge the individual pellet droplets from the pressure vessel and to reduce the overpressure, a separator adapted to separate the individual pellet droplets from the coolant; and at least one circulating device adapted to agitate the coolant to separated and unclump the individual pellet droplets in the coolant and for producing turbulence within the coolant.

Abstract: Sulfur seeds may be produced by spraying liquid molten sulfur from a sulfur spray nozzle into a moving stream of liquid. Some of the sulfur may pass through the liquid and some of the sulfur may be entrained in and transported by the stream of liquid, or all of the sulfur may be entrained in the stream of liquid. The sulfur droplets that are entrained in the stream of liquid may be carried by the liquid to a cooling tank, which may be a spiral dewaterer tank with an angled bottom and a screw conveyor. An opening may be made in the bottom surface of the screw conveyor housing of the spiral dewaterer tank for liquid to drain from the screw conveyor as it moves sulfur seeds from the tank to a the drum. A screen may be disposed across the opening, and a drain trough attached to the screw conveyor housing to capture any liquid and solids that move through the screen. A wash line may assist in moving solids that pass through the screen.

Abstract: A therapeutic device for promoting the healing of a wound in a mammal is disclosed. An exemplary device comprises a permeable structure having a plurality of depressions formed in a surface thereof. In use, the surface having the depressions is disposed adjacent a surface of the wound. A method of manufacturing a therapeutic device for promoting the healing of a wound in a mammal comprising the steps of providing a permeable substrate, and forming a plurality of depressions into a surface of the permeable substrate to provide the therapeutic device. A method of treating a wound comprises: providing a permeable structure comprising a plurality of randomly disposed fibers and having i) a plurality of wound surface contact elements disposed between end portions of the structure, and ii) a plurality of voids defined by the contact elements; and applying the permeable structure to at least one surface of the wound.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for producing nanoparticles, in which method starting materials for nanoparticles are mixed at least as liquid droplets and optionally also as gases and/or vapors with at least combustion gases in a premixing chamber and the mixture is separated for liquid drops larger than size d, whereafter the mixture is conducted to at least one burner, in which the combustion gases are ignited such that a heavily mixing flame is generated, in which the starting materials react and optional solvents evaporate and generate through nucleation and/or sintering and/or agglomeration particles having a diameter of 1 to 1000 micrometers.

Abstract: An extrusion method and apparatus are described for producing ceramics, glass, glass-ceramics, or composites suitable for use as proppants. The method includes forming one or more green body materials, extruding the green body materials to form a green body extrudate, separating and shaping the green body extrudate into individual green bodies, and sintering the green bodies to form proppants. The apparatus includes a means for forming an intimate mixture of green body materials, means to produce a green body extrudate, means for separating and shaping the green body extrudate into individual green bodies, and means to sinter the green green bodies to form proppants.

Abstract: Systems for pelletizing hot asphaltenes are provided. Asphaltenic hydrocarbons can be dispersed to provide two or more asphaltenic particles. The asphaltenic hydrocarbons can be at a temperature of from about 175° C. to about 430° C. The asphaltenic particles can be contacted with a film of cooling medium. The film can have a thickness of from about 1 mm to about 500 mm. At least a portion of the asphaltenic particles can be solidified by transferring heat from the asphaltenic particles to the cooling medium to provide solid asphaltenic particles. The solid asphaltenic particles can be separated from at least a portion of the cooling medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing bichromal balls including first and second supply containers; a pair of microchannels for moving the first and second liquids; a pair of nozzles at which the microchannels contact each other; and an actuator, and a method for manufacturing bichromal balls using the same.

Abstract: A granulation process wherein a liquid is sprayed into a prilling tower (1) by means of a rotating prilling bucket (15) having a perforated side wall (15a), and the liquid jets exiting said perforated side wall are subjected to a vibrating action according to the axial direction (A-A) of the prilling tower (1), while the remaining liquid mass inside the bucket is kept substantially free from said vibrating action. A suitable apparatus is also disclosed, wherein the peripheral side wall (15a) of the prilling bucket (15) is connected to vibration imparting means and has a flexible connection with the frame (15b, 15c) of the bucket.

Abstract: A process for producing monodispersed carbon spheres comprising the steps of mixing supercritical-carbon dioxide fluid under pressure with a solvent in an inert atmosphere; heating the mixture in to a temperature to carbonise the solvent; and modulating the pressure to the heated mixture to produce carbon spheres. Subsequent addition of an organometallic precursor can be used to induce the nucleation and growth of nanocrystals across the surface of the spheres.

Abstract: To provide an apparatus for producing a toner, including: a droplet forming unit configured to periodically discharge a toner composition liquid, which includes at least a resin and a colorant, from a plurality of nozzles so as to form droplets; a gas flow forming unit configured to form a gas flow which passes through a narrowed portion that corresponds to a nozzle formation area and that is placed on a downstream side of the nozzles with respect to a droplet discharge direction, and which advances in the droplet discharge direction; and a particle forming unit configured to form toner particles by solidifying the droplets of the toner composition liquid passed through the narrowed portion and then discharged, wherein the opening area of an opening which forms the narrowed portion decreases from an inlet side of the narrowed portion toward an outlet side of the narrowed portion.

Abstract: Sulfur (or sulphur) spray nozzles disposed with a cooling tank spray liquid molten sulfur into the cooling liquid in the tank. Solid sulfur seeds are formed in the cooling liquid and settle in the tank. The cooling tank may be a spiral dewaterer tank that has a screw conveyor at the bottom of the tank that moves the seeds to a granulating drum for enlargement into sulfur granules. The cooling tank may also be used to capture and remove sulfur dust from a slurry of sulfur dust and water recycled from the granulating drum. The sulfur dust in the cooling tank may be captured by contact with molten sulfur droplets streaming down the cooling liquid column such that the dust particles become incorporated into the droplet, thereby being converted to seed. The granulating drum may be equipped with two or more sets of segmented lifting flights. The sets of flights may not be in alignment. The flights may be spaced apart from the inside surface of the drum with segmented rib members.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming agarose or cored agarose beads. The process involves dissolving/gelation the agarose in a suitable liquid, mixing it with a hydrophobic liquid to form an emulsion and maintaining that emulsion at a temperature equal to or greater than the gelation point of the agarose, passing it through a static mixer to create agarose droplets and solidifying the agarose droplets in a second bath of hydrophobic liquid. The beads can then be washed and used or further processed to crosslink the agarose and/or add various functionalities on to the agarose. Another method for solidifying the agarose droplets is by using a heat exchanger to cool the stream continuously after it exits the static mixer. A similar process is used for the “cored” beads except cores, preferably in bead form, are introduced to the agarose before it enters the first hydrophobic liquid so that the agarose forms a coating on the cores.